Ashes represent grief, mourning, pain, repentance, and death. Have you ever sat in ashes? Are you currently sitting in ashes?
Maybe you have been deeply hurt, betrayed, abused, or neglected.
Maybe you’ve lost a spouse, child, or parent.
Perhaps you have received a diagnosis and are faced with the unknown.
Or maybe you deal with mental illness and the shame that seems to come with it.
You could be in a financial crisis and unsure of how to make ends meet.
Maybe your kid has walked away from the faith.
Your ashes could be from the bad choices you have made.
Maybe you’re worried about all that’s going on in our world.
Whatever the ashes are, I’m sure we can all agree there are seasons in our life that are downright hard and maybe even unfair. You may be asking God, “Why me, why this, why now?” But God never promised us an easy life. He never promised us beauty without ashes. Life without death. Joy without sorrow. Abundance without want. Peace without turmoil. Healing without disease. Relief without pain. Growth without trials. Patience without struggle. Refining without fire. But He did promise to never leave us. He promised to be there for us, no matter what.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39
To those of you sitting in ashes, God loves you. He sees you. He’s with you. It’s never hopeless. Just whisper a prayer to the One who saved you, who holds you, and who will never let you go. He is faithful to hear, answer, and provide. He knows exactly what you need, and He will supply. He is faithful, always faithful, and His plans for you are good. You can count on it!
