Over the past couple of weeks, Holy Barre celebrated 5 years of burning brighter together and the Lord has been placing the promise of ‘beauty from ashes’ on my heart. These two things could not be more connected.
to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes,
the oil of bliss instead of tears,
and the mantle of joyous praise
instead of the spirit of heaviness.
Because of this, they will be known as
Mighty Oaks of Righteousness,
planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.
Isaiah 61:3 TPT
Holy Barre began five years ago out of a personal season of struggle. And from those ashes, a beautiful bouquet was established. And from tears and heaviness, Mighty Oaks of Righteousness grew . . . planted by the Lord Himself as a living and active display of His glory!
I’d like to share this note included in The Passion Translation about the phrase ‘beautiful bouquet’ in Isaiah 61:3 . . .
‘Or ‘beauty for ashes’ or ‘a garland [of flowers] or headdress.’ There is an interesting wordplay in the Hebrew text. The word for ‘beauty’ is phe’er, and the words for ‘ashes’ is epher – simply the moving of one letter. God has the power to change and move things around in our lives to make them into something beautiful. See Romans 8:28.’
The Passion Translation note to Isaiah 61:3
What comfort He provides in consistently changing and moving things around in our lives to make something beautiful. I continue to see His goodness again and again in my own life. I’m currently stepping into a new season as I now work in Special Education at my children’s school. While taking this role might have been driven by ashes, the Lord is truly making something beautiful and more than I could ask, think, or imagine.(Ephesians 3)
I recently created a workout catered to those who work in education but to some extent, we all educate and support those around us. Here’s a 35-minute full-body workout that I pray fills up your soul, heart, mind, and body!
This passage speaks such power and yet such personal promise . . .
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
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 joy
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.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
– Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV
Burning Bright! 