Beauty for Ashes

Isaiah 61:1-3 (New King James Version)

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Beauty for ashes….

This phrase has been recurring in my mind for weeks now. The more I meditate on it, the more I see this as my own call while in Ethiopia. I sure can’t speak for anyone else on the Team, but this is what I feel like God is calling me to do.

I cannot heal as Christ can, but I can pray to Him for healing.
I can proclaim His liberty over their captivity.
I have arms that can comfort, and shoulders that can be cried upon.
I will Praise Him as I watch Him bring joy, righteousness and seeds of Glory planted in each life.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of a 40 day period until Easter where we can repent and focus our lives on God and the gift of His son.

We leave for our mission Team on Easter Sunday. I pray that I can use this time to turn the ashes in my own heart to beauty.