Returning to the Lord with Our Whole Hearts

Scripture: Joel 2:12–13; Psalm 51:10
Theme: Repentance, surrender, and holy alignment

Lent begins not with striving, but with returning. God’s invitation through the prophet Joel is gentle yet piercing: “Return to Me with all your heart.” This is not a call to performance or perfection—it is a call to posture.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that we are dust, but dust deeply loved by God. It humbles us without shaming us. As we begin this season of fasting and prayer for a ministry property, we acknowledge something important: we don’t need a building nearly as much as we need clean hearts and aligned spirits.

Before we ask God for space, we ask Him to search us.
Before we seek provision, we seek purification.
Before we ask for doors to open, we ask God to open us.

Returning to the Lord means releasing control—over timelines, outcomes, expectations, and even preferences. It means saying, “God, whatever You provide, prepare us to steward it Your way.”

This Sunday is not about mourning what we lack. It is about celebrating that God is near, attentive, and responsive to sincere hearts. He does not despise brokenness—He responds to it.

As a church, we return together:

  • From busyness to stillness
  • From anxiety to trust
  • From self-effort to surrender

Let this season not only change our address—but change our alignment.