Written in the dust

In far-north England, as I drove along Hadrian’s Wall westward to Carlisle, I burst out laughing. My fellow traveler drove a lorry (delivery truck) covered in dust and dirt. Someone had drawn with a finger in large letters on the filthy roll-up door: “Also available in white.” The joke was that the lorry was painted white underneath the grime.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water. Jeremiah 17:13 NIV

To write in the dust is to know that the words and the people or actions the words symbolize are impermanent. It’s a contrast to carving your legacy in stone, as people have done since prehistoric times.

Often, people say they feel as though they’re wandering in a dry, dusty wilderness, alone and without hope. Any gust of wind could vaporize them. Even in mature Christians, this is an experience we sometimes go through, especially after trauma.

If you have ever felt alone and comfortless, I encourage you to seek out Christian companionship in your local church or Bible study group. Let the arms of God enfold you through His body, the church. Let the people of God minister to your dry and barren life. Let down the projection that you have everything together all the time, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. The Lord will work for you through His people.

Jesus said that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. No matter what we feel, we must trust that Jesus is close by, longing to be in communion with us. Don’t turn away from Him. Turn toward Him, and He will give you living water to quench your raging thirst (John 4:14). He begs you to come, lay your burdens on Him, and rest. He loves you, and He is preparing an eternity of joy and love for you.

So let Jesus wash away that dust with His living water. In fact, dive into that river and rejoice in His gifts. He will bring you through.