More Than Dust In The Wind

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More Than Dust In The Wind

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13-14, ESV)

Reading the title of today’s devotional, many of you may already be singing, “Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wiiiind.” If you’re not familiar with this song, it’s an acoustic ballad written and performed by American rock band Kansas, which reached #6 on the Billboard 100 back in 1978.

Timeless, enchanting and beautifully haunting, this ballad gives the listener pause to ponder mortality. Take a listen by clicking here. Its theme is echoed throughout the Bible, most loudly from The Preacher (Qoheleth) of Ecclesiastes, as if King Solomon had penned the song himself:

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14, NIV). Solomon continues, “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20), reflecting on God’s curse upon Man after the Fall: “…For dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). 

Similarly, James wrote, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NASB).

Our time on earth is minuscule compared to eternity. Though we physically die at the end of life, back to the dust in which we came, we aren’t called to simply be dust while we walk the earth. Nor did God intend for us to be little more than molded creatures of the dust without purpose.

We Are Earthen Vessels

God had bigger plans, to mold us into His most treasured creation- His adopted sons and daughters through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Only Son, Jesus Christ. We are called to be His earthen vessels, to carry the treasure of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel message throughout the world. Therefore with this calling, we need to be wise in our pursuits and with the precious time that God has given us to steward.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV).

Just as jars of clay are fragile and imperfect, we too have weaknesses and limitations. Yet, it’s a blessing, safeguarding us from pridefully boasting of our own works in serving God and carrying the Gospel. Otherwise, would we not turn from Him? In the Lord’s loving design, He made it possible for us to need and depend on Him, to always long to stay connected to Him for all things. The world then sees the Gospel of Jesus Christ in us, where the supernatural power of God empowers His clay vessels in hardships, trials and tribulations, with all glory pointing to Him. We can thank God for this design of being inadequate in our own strength, but adequate in His.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, ESV).

I love the following thought from Matthew Henry:

“God could have sent angels to make known the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the most admired sons of men to teach the nations, but He chose humbler, weaker vessels, that His power might be more glorified in upholding them, and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry.”

We Are Earthen Lamps

Most lamps during Biblical times were made of clay, earthen vessels that also held a treasure of light, a light that pierced the darkness.

As earthen lamps were most used by the common man to light the darkness, so too were the fishermen, tent makers, tax collectors, and the early church who were clay lamps for carrying the light of Christ to the world. 

Lamp Of The Body

In preparation to heal the man who was blind from birth, Jesus “spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud” (John 9:6, ESV). 

Jesus was creating “eyes” for the man who was blind from birth, using the dust of the ground, His own spit, and the power of God. It’s similar to how He first created us from the dust of the earth, and came to restore Man’s body and soul.

Though the blind man was not blind as a result of sin, nor the sin of his parents, the healing illustrates the eye is the lamp of the body. In spiritual blindness, we stumble in darkness. When Jesus restores our spiritual eyes, we then see clearly, and walk in the light of Him. We become a lamp, a light into the world, directing others to the light of Christ that lives in us.

Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23, CSB)

Even the man with restored sight was boldly sharing his testimony with the Pharisees, saying, “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man [Jesus] were not from God, He could do nothing” (John 9:32-33).

As we are earthen lamps that light the darkness, Jesus reminds us:

Our Purpose

God has great work for you and me. Not to play small. Not to waste time on meaningless pursuits. For a life wasted is dust in the wind that is scattered. A life that surrenders to sit on the Great Potter’s wheel, to be formed into an earthen vessel and lamp, carries the treasured light and message of Jesus Christ to the world. It is truly our purpose, for when we do, we lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV).

And because of this great assignment that God has for us, we will need the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, a testament to the world that God is working from within us. 

This Week

Take time to meditate on the brevity and preciousness of your time on earth. And as an earthen vessel, made from the dust of the earth, are you carrying the treasure of the Gospel everywhere you set foot, a light in the darkness? 

“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before Him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5, CSB).

And we can pray:

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me. I’m thankful that through you, my life has purpose- to serve you by serving others, and to carry your name to all ears. Strengthen and guide me in doing the work you have planned, so that I can hear you say at the end of the race, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name. Amen.

Health  

This Week’s Health Pick

The Nutrient-Packed Peel

Don’t throw out that peel! Fruit and vegetable peels (or skins) are often one of the most nutrient-dense parts of the food. Consuming the skin can significantly increase intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—sometimes by large margins compared to peeled versions. Benefits include:

Compared to a peeled apple, a raw apple with skin contains:

• Up to 332% more vitamin K

• 142% more vitamin A

• 115% more vitamin C

• 20% more calcium

• Up to 19% more potassium

Compared to a peeled boiled potato, one with skin contains:

• Up to 175% more vitamin C

• 115% more potassium

• 111% more folate

• 110% more magnesium and phosphorus

Peels can also contain pesticide residues. While washing helps reduce them, there are studies that show soaking fruits and vegetables in a baking soda bath for 10-20 minutes can reduce pesticides on peels from 66.7% to 98.9%. Results may vary depending on the skin.

Also, not every peel is edible, like avocados. Others peels are best consumed when blended in green juices. Or, when used in cooking, like orange and lemon zest.

In case you missed it, you can check out last week’s devotional and health article below. Or click here for the full archive.

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}