Beauty Instead of Ashes

Just got back from a women's conference here in Fort Wayne. Enjoyed some great worship (and I pray God did too!) led by all women--including a complete band! There were also some dancers expressing their adoration and praise to God through movement. Pretty cool.

We heard several keynote and workshop speakers.
The theme of the weekend was "Beauty Instead of Ashes", taken from Isaiah 61. I love the King James rendition of this passage:
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Is. 61:3

You don't have to look very hard to find women who are struggling. So many are still trying to shake off the ashes; so many are mourning; so many are weighed down with a spirit of heaviness. Is there something God is asking us to do? Is there someone in your circle of influence that God wants to minister to and begin healing through something you might do or say? Are we open to being instruments through which God can offer beauty, joy, or praise to someone who is hurting? I pray I'm not too busy to encourage others along the way. Jesus was busy. Really busy. But He wasn't too busy to offer love to those mourning and in despair; those who were abused; those who were neglected; those in the grip of sin; those who were depressed or grieving. May we all be alert and aware of those around us who are hurting. We don't have to perform a miracle. He may simply be calling us to listen. Or to hug someone warmly. Or to offer a fresh perspective on a situation. Maybe someone desperately needs a sister to look intently at her and smile. There's a reason Jesus taught so often on the topic of love. It's kind of important. It defines our relationships. It affects how we feel about ourselves and others. It determines how we treat each other. It is sorely lacking in our world today. And sadly, it is lacking in the church.

Love God and love each other. That's what Jesus said is most important. He said it's God's number one priority for us. What blessings are we missing when we become too busy to love? Brush the ashes off a sister today. Pour a little oil of gladness on someone who's hurting. Do you know someone who's going through a really stressful time? Throw a blanket of praise around her. Allow God to use you to make a difference in someone else's life. They won't be the only one blessed. And He will be glorified. And isn't that why we're here?