We Are Stardust

The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. (1 Corinthians 15:41 NIV)

As much as I love Lent and the call to "Return to the Lord your God," I find that the Ash Wednesday service is usually a little difficult. I don't mind the confessions and the black paraments and the somber tones and I like the symbolism of receiving the ashes and the confirmation of forgiveness through Communion.

Even though I know it's true, being told over and over that I am merely dust makes me feel pretty worthless. And maybe it is supposed to humble us, but I know "God didn't make no junk," so I don't think he wants me to think of myself as completely worthless.

That is why I totally loved the spin Pastor Chad put on the idea in his Ash Wednesday sermon. He said that yes, we come from dust, but scientists agree that the dust of the earth originally came from the stars. So in essence, we are stardust! How cool is that?!

It makes me feel so connected to eternity and to the whole universe. Instead of feeling worthless, it makes me feel special...and loved...and a part of something much bigger than I can even imagine. As the person sitting next to me observed, it makes us want to shine and twinkle. And isn't that what we are created to do?

Father,
As Joni Mitchell wrote in the 70's, "We are stardust, we are golden; and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." Guide us on our journey back to the garden and help us to shine like stars along the way. Amen.

Joys: stardust; longer days; Lenten disciplines