All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. - Ecclesiastes 3:20
...and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. - Genesis 2:7
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” - Genesis 3:19
This barn has been the unfortunate casualty of an expanding sand and gravel company in the cold flatlands of Northwest Iowa. Soon after the integrity of the barn's foundation was compromised, it went from a useful structure to the dismal heap that lays before you. My wife and I have been fascinated by the gradual collapse of the barn and had to grab a shot of it before we started our journey back home to the rolling hills of South Central Iowa.
Every time I see this picture, I am reminded of just how fragile the things of this world are and how quickly they pass away--including us. God's curse on this earth, as a result of our sin, is evident in almost every aspect of our lives. From dust you came and to dust you shall return was the promise given when we first turned our backs toward God.
However, God did not leave us sitting in the dirt (pun intended). He loves us and desires to bring us back into union with Himself. And so, even before time began, God put into place a plan that would forever alter our view of death and decay in this fallen world. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus
The Apostle Paul explores this reality when he writes. "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the first-fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he 'has put everything under his feet." - 1 Corinthians 15:22-27a
Although we share the same fate as the broken down barn, we hold on to the glorious hope of the resurrection, when all things, including our dusty bodies will be brought fully under the reign of Christ and restored to a brand new beautiful reality.
This Sunday, my church, (@thecreekchurch) is kicking off a series on the resurrection of Christ, and we would love to have you join us. Hope to see you there!