Dust and Ashes – Day 48

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  We are but dust and to dust we shall return.  Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our humanity and our limited time here on earth.  In our humanity, we often make mistakes, go the wrong way, find ourselves wandering far from where we started.  We can continue to drift or we can remember who we are and come back to the One who created us.  For me, Ash Wednesday is that call to come back home.  It is the invitation to come to the table, to receive the steadfast love and abundant mercy we so long for.  It is the arms wide open waiting for our turning back.  It is the journey of heading back and finding we are on our way to something amazing.  It is a reminder of how God has been with us.  And it is an awakening to where we are missing it all.

Psalm 51 is my favorite passage for this day.  It is attributed to David as he realizes how far he has drifted and the painful crawl back home.  It is painful because of David, not God.  It is filled with realizations of actions which caused so much heartache and destruction.  And while it is all of these things, for me, it is more about who God is.

He is full of steadfast love and abundant mercy.  He is truth, issues judgement and provides wisdom.  He offers cleansing and renewal, restoration and deliverance.  He presents a new way.  God has prepared the table.  God has welcomed his children.  God has poured out his love in more ways than can be counted.

What will we do?  Will we begin the journey home?  Will we see where we are missing it and find our eyes fixed on him instead?  Will we become consumed in his steadfast love?  Or will we continue drifting?  Ash Wednesday reminds us of our humanity, our awakening of just how short our time is.  May we not waste a moment.  The invitation has been sent.  What will we do with it?