Beauty For Ashes

And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,

BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

- Luke 4:17-21

I heard it once said that our greatest passions are born from our deepest wounds.

I believe it’s true. We must move from the pain in lives - allowed by God, caused by others, or inflicted upon self to be passion that fuels us to share redemption, restoration and ultimately the glory and greatness of God.

Abandonment. Brokenness. Dissapointment. Suicide. Abuse. Rejection. Oppression.

Significance. Wholeness. Hope. Life. Comfort. Acceptance. Freedom.

It is from our deepest wounds that our greatest passions are born. Brokenness has been a reality of my life, but I have seen the beauty that comes from brokenness. God takes the broken and fragmented pieces of my life and brings them together to make me whole - a beautiful picture for His glory, and then He shines His light through, that all the world may see.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

- Isaiah 61:1-3

There is beauty for ashes.

October 2006 © allthis