I thought I was invincible as a kid. I loved skateboarding and carried my skateboard around everywhere. My brother and I would come up with stunts to impress our friends in the neighborhood. And I sometimes failed miserably trying to perform them, which left me with scars to show for it.

Being older and wiser now, the reality of the human condition becomes clearer to me. We are not invincible. Our bodies degrade over time. Soreness and stiffness begin to interfere with our daily routine, making the activities we enjoy more challenging. Yes, our bodies are beautifully made and functional — but oh, so fragile.

In Psalm 103, the psalmist reminds us that we are dust from the beginning and will return to dust again. The physical sufferings and inconveniences we experience as we age are nudges from God that we do not control our destiny. And it is just God’s divine plan and providence unfolding in our lives. However, knowing there is something grand beyond our imagination awaiting the faithful who persevere keeps us grounded in our journey with Christ.

In our Savior’s compassion and mercy, we always have hope. But it is in the Passion of Jesus we find the ultimate gift of love, a gift of divine grace that makes the setbacks of life bearable and even understandable.

Let us accept Jesus’ daily invitation to come to him, humbly seeking strength to carry on, allowing him to free us from our self-centeredness. And let his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory (2 Corinthians 4:6), so we can see beyond our condition as mortals, with our sights set on heaven, instead.

Lord, never let me act as if this world were all there is. With your ultimate sacrifice on the cross, I know there is a heavenly place beyond the horizon. I thank you for giving me more than anyone can. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Let us reflect deeply on what “for dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19) teaches us.



Tags: Daily Devotional Psalm 103
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