"Remember that you are dust, and in dust you will be found again." These words will be shared by pastors around the world this coming Wednesday as Christian brothers and sisters of many denominations begin the Lenten season by applying ashes to their foreheads. This would be done in a variety of ways, whether in ceremonial worship or with a "going to the ashes" in the street.
On this Ash Wednesday, these words will reflect passages of Scripture such as Genesis 3:19 in which God tells Adam, "You shall eat your food with the sweat of your forehead until you return to the ground, because in Him From you were taken; to dust you are and to dust you will return” (NIV). This is a humble thought indeed.
As we enter this season of Lent, many Christian believers take this period of forty days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, not counting Sunday, to remember the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. had spent preparing for his earthly ministry because he had been tempted by Satan. (Matthew 4:1-11).
It has historically been a time in which churchgoers would fast in an act of penance and devote themselves to prayer in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter. It is a season of remembrance of our sinful nature and mortality, along with the merciful gift of His Son Jesus for our redemption. More recently, Christians have taken the opportunity during Lent to either give up something or deliberately give themselves to God's service.
Every Ash Wednesday, when I stand in front of people who come forward to take ashes on their heads and when I read those familiar words, I can't help but think of similar words The ones I have shared on many graves: "From ashes to ashes and from dust to dust." It is another reminder of our mortality, that another day is never promised and that each day is a gift from our Creator. We should never take our days lightly.
So how are you entering this holy season of fasting? Even if it is not the tradition of your faith, how can you humble yourself by deliberately doing something to draw closer to God? Maybe it will skip your morning coffee and come your way to the office and instead donate the money you might have spent to a local mission.
Maybe it's by giving your time to volunteer at a local nonprofit, or by collecting items to support a food pantry or women's shelter. We're going through some rough days, and it's tempting to spend our time grumbling and complaining. Instead, how can we respond in a different way by being grateful for each new day? No matter how you want to recognize this special time of year, don't forget that "You are dust, and you will return to dust." make each day count!