Throughout the Bible and ancient practices, ashes have often been the symbol of deep repentance and grief. Each year in the spring as the days of Lent begin, we see all around us the visual reminders of ashes on foreheads, and we’re reminded of this one Truth, “…for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19

Sometimes that reality sinks deep. Because if we’ve lived long enough, we know that often – life can be hard. The road we’re walking may feel dark, the battles seem tough, and the struggles hurt.

And pain leaves its mark, like ashes of grief, in the deepest parts of our souls, where no one but God can really see.

Pain leaves its mark, like ashes of grief, in the deepest parts of our souls, where no one but God can really see.

Job was there too. This righteous man who loved and honored God. Yet he lost everything. It crumbled around him; all he held dear. And he knew without God, he was nothing. And we find him in the beginning of the book of Job as, “…he sat in the ashes.” Job 2:8 (KJV)

Daniel was there. He and the people had suffered under captivity, he prayed on their behalf, that God would have mercy. He knew where true strength and help came from, “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3

Tamar was there. She had trusted and was betrayed. David’s own daughter, cruelly taken advantage of, then left on her own, to pick up the broken pieces of shattered life. “And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.” 2 Samuel 13:19

And in their times of ashes, they may have wondered too…

Where was God in it all? In the deepest grief, shattered hopes, and broken dreams?

His Truth says this: He was there, right in the midst of it all.

And though we may not always see it, or feel it, or even understand it, we can know beyond a doubt, that He is now. Still. He is with us.

Though we may not always see it, or feel it, or even understand it, we can know beyond a doubt, that [God is still] 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.”

That’s the very key to the ashes that cover our days in this life. The deeper truth that shines through every bit of our grief, and pain, and sin. Christ came to set us free. He came to redeem, to bring hope.

Christ came to bring beauty from ashes.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Three days after Christ was buried…out of the dark, out of the dust, out of the tomb…He arose.

He conquered death. He lives forever. He reigns in glory. And we have victory in Him!

God never intends for us to stay stuck in our sin, pain, or deep sorrow. He heals and restores. He calls us onward. He reminds us that in Him, we have great purpose and hope.

There is beauty and greatness behind every mark of darkness. The ashes will fall away, they don’t stay forever, but His greatness and glory shine forever through every broken place we’ve struggled through.

Take courage dear friends who are facing deep battles. He is greater than anything we face in this life. We overcome because He has overcome, and our lives are hidden in Christ. May God cover you with peace, may He bring healing in the face of hard news, may He bring deep, abiding joy that makes no sense to the world, may He bring comfort and care as He wraps you in His arms. The God of miracles fights for you today, and He is Mighty.

There’s still beauty ahead…straight out of ashes.

Grace.