by Rev. Aidan Moon
Vanity or Joy?
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One of my boys had this moment while spending time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house out in the barn. He was fascinated, in awe and wonder at the particles of dust illuminated by the morning light breaking through cracks in the door.
Like many images, this one struck me from a few different directions. First it hit me with that imagery of dust as it shows up in scripture. It brought to mind the vapor and vanity of Ecclesiastes, of striving, grasping after something that cannot be grasped:
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
– Ecclesiastes 2:11, English Standard Version
However, at a second glance, this image had a slightly different interpretation, especially in the light of Jesus’ resurrection. For in Christ, dust might not be all vain after all. Paul says:
“The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 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 15:47-49, English Standard Version
That is, even dust is redeemable. Even dust can reflect light. Even dust can be a wonder. Humanity was created from the dust, but just as Jesus took on our dusty form and was made man, we are being redeemed, our dust used for glory, to bear the image of Jesus.
My son grasping at the dust, vanity, might be one way to take this image. But another, more hopeful picture is that he points in wonder to the light that is only shown as it shines through the dust. Perhaps our dusty struggles and suffering, our labor and work, our striving and effort, aren’t vain after all if they are anchored in a greater, more wonderful light.
Jesus is risen! Nothing is in vain. Even dust.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
