Devotion - Ash Wednesday

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

These are the words with which we begin our Lenten season. They are a reminder of the senselessness of living for ourselves and ourselves alone. They are words of encouragement, encouraging us to seek that which is lasting and eternal.

My friend is quick to remind me, “Don’t make us feel bad about ourselves. We feel bad enough already.” She is right. And she has mis-heard the message of Lent (and the whole Christian message.) It is not to drag us down that these words are spoken; it is to remind us of that to which we can aspire. We came from dust, we were created out of the dirt of the earth. Out of that which is common and ordinary God formed us. It is God’s breath which sent life coursing through us and it was God’s Word which enabled us to speak.

Look at all that has been possible. See all that this “dust” has accomplished. It has all been possible as a result of the one who formed us out of the dirt.

The God who formed us allows us the freedom to set our path. We are free to chose how we will honor that breath, how we will speak the word. We can allow life to slip us by, failing to connect to that which is life-giving, or we can align ourselves with the One who continues to breathe life and speak the Word.

Remember – you have been given a wonderful gift. You have been blessed. What will you do with this blessing? How will you use the gift which you have received.

Remember.