From Ashes to Love
March 5, 2025
Ash, dust, soil. In the beginning, God took a clump of soil, and breathed life into it to form the human. To be human is to be a clump of soil filled with the breath of God, and when we die we return to the soil—we are composted. We are the compost of lives of previous generations that have become the soil that holds our present breath. And everything we do in the soil of now, will be composted again when we die and become the soil for generations to come.
READ
Psalm 90
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn us back to dust and say, “Return to dust, you mortals.” So teach us to count our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
REFLECT
1. Reflect on the previous generations that have shaped your present moment. Honor it, make peace with it, and give thanks to God for all of it, the good and the bad, because it is what brought you here.
2. Reflect on the soil of now. Breathe the moment. Rend your heart. Own the bad soil you have made so far, and receive the forgiveness of God for you.
3. Reflect on the soil of tomorrow. Acknowledge that you will die someday, and pray for those that will come from the soil that you will leave behind for them.
RESPOND
1. Don’t waste the soil of your life. Open your heart to God, humble yourself, and make things right with God and with others.
2. Remember that you are part of something much bigger than yourself. Remember that you carry God's breath. Use your breaths well, draw your strength and your identity from this truth and walk in the freedom of God's love for you.
3. Walk in the newness of life God gives you and make good soil for the generations to come.