Throughout the Bible, ashes have been the symbol of deep repentance and grief. Ashes remind me of the scripture “For dust you are and to dust you will return” in Genesis.
Sometimes that reality sinks deep because I’ve lived long enough to know life is hard. The road we walk may feel dark, and our battles are tough, and struggles hurt.
Pain definitely leaves a mark, like the ashes in the deepest part of our souls, ashes only God can see.
We often wonder where God is in it all. During our deepest grief, shattered hopes, and broken dreams.
The truth is He was there, right in the middle of it all. Though we might not always see it or feel it, or even understand it, we can know beyond a doubt, that He was with us and is still now with us.
Jesus reminds us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble, but take courage, for I have overcome the world.”
I believe the very key to the ashes that cover our days in this life. The beauty is Jesus came to bring beauty from the ashes. God never intends for us to stay stuck in our pain, or sorrow, or our sin. With Him, we can heal and restore. He calls us onward. He reminds us that with Him, we have great purpose and hope.
There is beauty and greatness behind every mark of darkness. The ashes will fall away -they won’t stay forever. But His greatness and glory will shine forever through every broken place we have struggled through.
God is greater than anything we face in this life. We will overcome because Jesus overcomes us and our lives are hidden in Him.
God can cover us in peace and bring healing through every hard struggle we face. We will bring peace that the world can not bring. He can bring comfort and care as He wraps us in His arms.
This is beauty straight out of the ashes.
From Pity to Praise 