Ashes to Ashes

"Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return." It seems a bit too obvious to point out the meaning of this phrase; Adam was formed from the earth thus our lifeless bodies shall return to it when we die. However, in light of Ash Wednesday, I think it is important for us to meditate on it. To us, each day is a theatrical performance in which we so easily embrace our specific role.  We know our part well; a mother, an employee, a husband, a student, and we all think our part is the most important. How easily we forget that in this play of misfit toys, we are but a lingering thought, for the leading role goes to our Father. Our very existence would be nothing without His breath of life, His entricate craftmanship.

There is a beautiful segement in the book of Job that puts into perspective this idea of ashes.
(I would encourage you to read Job 38-42, in both a standard version and the message)
Job is exhausted, he has cried out to God with no relief, he has lost everything. He begins to express all that he has done right that God may have mercy on him. His mind and body are in anguish as he begins to question God.

And then, God speaks.
He looks down on this desperate speck of dust and proclaims (my heart is welling within as I post this proclaimation):
 Job 38:1-15 (The Message)
 ¹ And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:
 ^2-11 "Why do you confuse the issue?
   Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?
Pull yourself together, Job!
   Up on your feet! Stand tall!
I have some questions for you,
   and I want some straight answers.
Where were you when I created the earth?
   Tell me, since you know so much!
Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that!
   Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?
How was its foundation poured,
   and who set the cornerstone,
While the morning stars sang in chorus
   and all the angels shouted praise?
And who took charge of the ocean
   when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?
That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds,
   and tucked it in safely at night.
Then I made a playpen for it,
   a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,
And said, 'Stay here, this is your place.
   Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'

 ^12-15 "And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!'
   told Dawn, 'Get to work!'
So you could seize Earth like a blanket
   and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?
As the sun brings everything to light,
   brings out all the colors and shapes,
The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked—
   they're caught in the very act!

For three more chapters God speaks about all the wonders of His hand, of His power, of His majesty, and when He is done, Job remembers his role:

Job 42:1-6(NIV)
 ¹ Then Job replied to the LORD:
 ² “I know that you can do all things;
   no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
   Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
   things too wonderful for me to know.
 ⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
   I will question you,
   and you shall answer me.’
⁵ My ears had heard of you
   but now my eyes have seen you.
⁶ Therefore I despise myself
   and repent in dust and ashes.”

Wow. I am sitting in the middle of an Olathe public school classroom right now, and my insides tremble at the power in these words.  I want to shout, I want to worship, and I want to cry.  What a great way to begin this Lenten season! How amazing is our God to give us such a beautiful description of His power and His grace, and to remind us who we are? When I meditate on all that His hands have made, and the power that streams from them, I am humbled and in awe. And so today, as we reflect on our status in this vast world, I pray that we would kneel before our Creator, humble our hearts, confess who we are, and adron ourselves with ashes- ashes of mourning, ashes of sorrow at the death that sin brings into His beautiful world, and ashes from our own burnt offering-ourselves.

Oh, and I almost forgot the best part! After Job humbles himself before God, and confesses his utter dependance on him....Job gets what he wants..total restoration. For God so loved Job, that he poured down his blessings upon his faithful servant, and he lived happily ever after :).

May we be reminded today that "God has done some marvelous things with dust-when dust yielded to the touch of its Creator."  Ashes to Fire
All my Love