Today is a rarity as Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day occur on the same exact day. This only happens three times during this entire century – 2018, 2024, and 2029.
At first blush, today is a confluence of opposites.
The modern Valentine’s Day celebrates romance. Historians cannot definitively determine which St. Valentine is the inspiration for Pope Gelasius to declare February 14 St. Valentine’s Day in the 400s AD, but at that time it was essentially a nonevent. Over the centuries Valentine’s Day has grown into a universal celebration of romance filled with flowers, gifts, candy, and cards.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season in the traditional church year. It is structured as less of a celebration and more of a time for quiet contemplation about the sacrifices Jesus made during his journey to the cross on Good Friday. Many Christians engage in solemn prayer, personal reflection, and fasting on Ash Wednesday.
It is difficult to think of two more opposite events to hold on a single day. Yet, same day struggles between opposites often occur in your financial life.
Every day you are faced with small decisions that impact your short-term happiness and your long-term satisfaction. Your naturally abundant wants compete with your logically-defined long-term family goals. Opposites at work.
Every day the financial markets are replete with competing interests that strive to profit at the expense of others. Conflict erupts between your aversion to seeing your account balance decline and your imminently logical desire to purchase investment at low(er) prices. Opposites at work.
Every year your financial conflict with the government culminates on April 15. They would appreciate more revenue to fund their existence while you would prefer to minimize your tax obligations. Opposites at work.
Through all of these opposites, your financial life is forged one conflicted day at a time. Given enough excellent advice, good decisions, and plenty of time, the results of all of these necessary conflicts can bring you great satisfaction.
Whether you are celebrating romantic love or contemplating Savior love (or both) today, consider how apparently conflicting opposites can create positive outcomes in your life.
Quote of the week: Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”
Photo Credit: Black cross from iStock 1467915105, Credit: vladystock
