If this journey to Easter is anything it is a journey to appreciate the difference that the breath of God makes in our lives. Without the breath of God, we are nothing but dust.
Scientists study our DNA and cell structure and people debate our origin while dust is usually not part of the discussion. We sweep dust out of our houses or vacuum it up. No one sets up monuments to the dust balls we came from. But God, with a handful of dust and His celestial breath formed a human into a creature so complex that no one really understands the whole of this creation. We can dress up our dust, try to hide our dust, hope no one sees remnants of our dust; but the truth is, without the breath of God, we are nothing but dust.
Today is Ash Wednesday. For centuries, people wear an ash-marked cross on their forehead to remind them of their created origin and earthly end. Whatever we do for this remarkable or failing body will not protect or extend life in Heaven. We need the breath of God to make a difference. We need His whisper in our ear to go, see, repent, confess, turn around, help, forgive, restore. His words propel us. Ours can ruin us. This is where a journey to the cross begins: sitting with the truth of our utter helplessness without the breath of God. This is where our first prayer for these days begins: “Woe is me! For I am lost.” (Isaiah 6:5, ESV)
Reflect
Think about how God saw possibilities in common dust, breathed His life-giving breath, and created you so that you could carry His life-breath to others.
Who does that mean you are?
How have you sabotaged or rejected who God says you are?
Would you like a daily devotional like this one, you can read every day until Easter? I have prepared a 40-day devotional guide to help you Follow Jesus to the Cross. Get it here.
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