Day 1: Ashes & Belonging
/“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Because it’s the year 2021, the ashes for my parents’ participation in Ash Wednesday came in the mail. Their Episcopalian parish remains on Zoom for the time being, so today, ashes will be spread by each other at home. The sign of the cross will mark the foreheads in our home as we think about what that means.
The start of Lent with ashes is said to be a reminder of how we were created from dust, and to dust we will return. Sort of grim. Not that the crucifixion is a light & peppy story. But it’s a necessary story, and the ashes are a crucial component to this season.
Even though I was confirmed Catholic as a young teenager, I honestly don’t remember if I ever received the ashes. I didn’t take it too seriously at that age and I was never forced to attend mass outside of Sunday morning. I remember being glad about it; I really didn’t want ash on my forehead throughout the day at school even if a good number of kids in my class had it.
Now, 23 years later, the ashes make me think of being made from God’s soil. God didn’t just create us in His image, but He created us from the earth He created. He created us from His soil, His land. To be created from His land, His soil, is a new concept for me that I’ve rolled around in my heart.
If I’m made from God’s soil, that means I am made on purpose with a goal of growth.
If I’m made from God’s soil, that means I am made to carry heaven on earth whenever, wherever, and however I can.
If I’m made from God’s soil, that means that I belong to him. The earth is His and everything in it belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1).
If I can get that identity right? If everything I say and do flows from knowing I was made not just in God’s image, but from His soil, from His foundation? Would my relationship with the Trinity just crescendo? Would my view of myself and my family improve ten-fold? Would my plans for the future have a different foundation — one of faith instead of fear? one of truth and trust in my creator? Would I walk confidently, knowing that I He created and chose me to be part of His kingdom’s story? Would life just be… better?
I guess I’ll find out as I work to put this into intentional practice these next 40 days. Join me?
How about you? What do you think about being made from God’s soil? Email me & let me know.