Dust and Identity

Praxis Podcast with Rhett Smith

"for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)

In this episode I reflect on the passage found in Genesis 3:19 that is repeated every Ash Wednesday.

It's a beautiful, but harrowing passage that reminds us of just how fragile and short our lives are.

But this reminder, rather than being tragic, is to help us focus on our life on what is important.

We were created from the very dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). Our first work (vocation) was to work the land (the dust) we were created from, displaying a connection between our identity and the work, service and hobbies we put our lives towards (Genesis 2:15). And yet, often, many things cut us off from this very soil (the dust), and disconnect us not only from our identity, but our Creator as well (Genesis 4:14).

Mentioned in Episode

"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver

Water from Rock (Check out their Lenten Devotionals)

Henri Nouwen

Ray Anderson

Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala