Out of the Ash Wednesday

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

"He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." - Psalm 113:7 (NKJV) 

How do you even begin to recover from this kind of devastation? Those were the first words of the first thought I had after entering the north end of Altadena, California. There I stood amidst the ashes, twisted burnt metal, shattered glass, and charred brick, block, and wood consumed by the California wildfires. Here, where my shoes temporarily left footprints in the soot, once stood beautiful homes with well-maintained lawns and vehicles, profitable businesses, laughter-filled school yards, and sacred places of worship. Now, they were gone and/or at best, barely recognizable.

I thought about the words of the Psalmist who wrote, “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap.” The poor and needy, in this case, I surmised, aren’t necessarily destitute financially, but a plethora of destitute diverse families and faiths (or none), who are poor in spirit, discouraged, exhausted, frustrated, and in desperate need of Christ’s love.

As I took in the devastation, a reporter happened to drive by. He stopped and asked if any of these heaps had been my home. I told him no, and that I was part of an association of Baptist churches supporting the work of The Abiding Church. The Abiding Church is a local Baptist Body of Christ, who are ministering to those both inside and out of their church families. One of their ministries is called an “Ash Out.” Church members go with families to their homes and rummage through the ashes to help the wildfire victims find jewelry and other valuable items, even if the value is only sentimental.

One widow, I learned, was searching for a jade ring her late husband had given her.  Another family we met, a young husband and wife with one and three-year-old daughters, had fled the wildfire with only a handful of clothes and items they grabbed for their girls. Admittedly I beamed with pride as my daughter, a graphic developer for Patagonia, came to worship with boxes of the outfitters clothes to help reoutfit the young couple and others.

The actionable call of Psalm 113:7 I reasoned, is where you and I come in. To paraphrase, I would submit that “He,” The Lord our God uses His servants to “raise the poor out of the dust.” “He,” The Lord our God, uses His servants to lift “the needy out of the ash heap.”

Since, as a Baptist, I’m not governed by the liturgical practices & parameters of Ash Wednesday, I’m making a personal declaration this March 5th to celebrate “Out of the Ash Wednesday,” or perhaps better yet, “Ash (Out) Wednesday.” My plan is to pray and fast for the victims of the California wildfires and contribute to those in need. I invite you to join me.

I also plan to lift in prayer those affected by the massive layoffs in government, and the poor – both those financially poor, and poor in spirit, who are struggling mightily. Most importantly, I am praying for unity in my country, in my denomination, and in our churches. I’m claiming the words of the Old Testament Chronicler who delivered the words of The Lord our God, that if I humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked ways, then He will hear from Heaven, forgive my sin, and heal our land. And, Lord knows, we need healing.

God bless,

Arnold Win Davis

Executive Director of Missions