these dusty days

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:49

Right now I live bearing the image of Adam, the man of dust. I am of the earth from which God formed this human race. And to this dust I am destined to return. This earthly form will one day die… decay… and to dust it will be destined. Every person around me shares this destiny and this knowledge that death is the end of our dusty days.

But dusty people though we are, we try so hard to ignore it. We pursue dusty entertainment, play our dusty little games, chase dusty dreams, trust dusty politicians, and build our little dingy empires of dust thinking we can avoid our fate of dusty diminishment. We are just whistling in the dust storm. We need the better way God has made in Christ.

In Christ, I am being remade to bear a heavenly, glorious image. And in the gospel hope of glory, the dust blows away to reveal the enduring glory of Jesus and heavenly splendor guaranteed for all who will place their faith in Him. The man of heaven, Jesus, gives eternal stability, value beyond measure, relief from these dreary dust bowl days, and lasting perspective. Our hope is secure as we are given the image of our heavenly Hero. Reborn to bear a greater glory, we sing as the dust clears! That is the vision that shines through this dust!

Jesus,

One day in a body remade like Your glorious resurrection body, I too will be free from all this dust! Until then, the dust clears by fixing my gaze ahead to Your glory. The gospel hope already places me securely in that eternal reality. Live in me until that day when I finally dwell with You!

Amen