He doesn’t deal with us
according to our sin
or repay us
according to our wrongdoing, 
 because as high as heaven
is above the earth,
that’s how large God’s faithful love
is for those who honor him. 

As far as east is from west—
that’s how far God has removed
our sin from us. 
 Like a parent feels compassion
for their children—
that’s how the LORD feels compassion for those who honor him. 
 Because God knows how we’re made,
God remembers we’re just dust.

Psalm 103:10-14

Last night we were reminded that we are dust and to dust we shall return – as ashes were placed on our foreheads in the shape of the cross. The cross is the symbol of death to our sin and old ways, the gateway into the new life God offers us out of God’s deep and abiding love for us.

In worship yesterday, our Harvest Table band led us in singing the song “Beautiful Things” by Gungor, which proclaims this truth – God makes beautiful things out of the dust – God makes beautiful things out of us. As we begin this lenten journey with our Good Shepherd, trust that God is making something beautiful out of your dust – trust that your God is always and forever making you new.

Listen to the song by clicking here or reflect on its lyrics below:

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change, at all

All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come out from this ground, at all?

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found, in you

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new,
You are making me new
You make me new,
You are making me new
(Making me new)

Songwriters: Lisa Gungor / Michael Gungor
Beautiful Things lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group