By Steve

"Do you want a couple bucks for a coffee?"

I was out early this morning, standing on the corner next to Starbucks when this kind man offered to buy me a coffee. I declined. But why the offer. It was early, I was unshaven and had some really great bedhead...but did I look needy or was he just being kind.

It's Ash Wednesday today. The day that we begin to abstain from certain things in preparation for Easter (I know, there's more to it than that).

I really enjoy living in the city. Occasionally it has its downsides (I may never get used to stepping over feces or the ongoing sounds of sirens) but mostly its great. Monday morning I woke up and witnessed a wreck, right in front of my condo (all were okay). Tuesday I woke up and walked directly across the street to vote. Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, I woke up and was offered a coffee by a complete stranger.

But something about living in the city really hurts. I witness so many living life in a direction away from God. It hurts. After declining the coffee, I made my way through the Gaslamp to pray. It was early, but the city was already a buzz...with clean up efforts. Today is not about Ash Wednesday, it is about recovery from Fat Tuesday. And Fat Tuesday means party time downtown. As I walked around, witnessing the frenzy of clean up occuring...you know, making things look right and okay before exposing yourself to the rest of the world, I wasn't thinking about puke piles and street sweepers...I was thinking about people.

People like me and you, who have made a mess of our lives but clean up each morning before we go out so we appear presentable. Maybe it should be okay to step outside every once in awhile and have someone offer you a free cup of coffee...if you know what I mean. Help is okay.

But even more. Many could use a good cleansing. Not a shower. Not biologically. Something more than that. I don't want your life to be a wreck. I don't want your life to be a pile of crap. I don't want your life to be a mess.

Ash Wednesday matters. It has meaning. It is my hope that this first day of the next 40 can begin a clean up effort for you. Not just abstaining from something that inflicts you (like me and coffee). I hope you find yourself longing for something this next month unmatched by any other longing you've experienced. And may you find yourself satisfied. Satisfied by this person we call Jesus and the Way that he invites you into.