Isaiah 61:1-3 says, "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."
I am reading a book called Captivating right now. It has nothing to do with missions or ministry but all to do with the heart of a woman. Yep, as a woman I really need help figuring out my own heart!
You see my heart is an interesting place to be most times. I am a very passionate person - when I set my sights on something, watch out! I am a serious person who can be completely silly and crazy! I am organized but like to be spontaneous! I love hard core screamo music, am a die-hard football fan yet love art museums and romantic movies. I am tattooed, pierced and dress within a very different boundary yet I am very conservative in my thought process and how I live my life. Sometimes I feel like a walking contradiction. But that is a lie from Satan!!! My God created me perfectly, intricately and somewhat quirky :)
No matter how God made you and me, what we look like or our likes and dislikes, He made us with a very specific purpose! God created us to be worshipers, to live for Him and love Him with all our hearts. God created us with gifts and desires.
When I read this passage in Isaiah it literally feels like God is speaking straight to me! He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor (poor in spirit and poor in physical). He is sending me to bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom to the captives. He is asking me to comfort those who mourn. And He has instructed me to speak the truth of His word.
You see because I said YES to the Lord, He has given me a crown of beauty instead of ashes. He has poured over me the oil of joy instead of mourning. He has dressed me in praise instead of despair. And I believe that because I said yes (from accepting Jesus as Savior to becoming a missionary) I will see oaks of righteousness come forth in Rome and the church He plants through me and my team will display His splendor!!!
I encourage you to go deep. Go deep in God and let Him go deep in you! Allow your heart to come alive. Allow God to awaken the dreams of your heart! Your heart is a beautiful creation - no matter how many times it has been broken and mended!
What is God calling you to do?! What are the dreams of your heart?!
~Nicole
Love it! What a challenge to seek God and hear the call He has placed on our hearts and answer that call! What an encouragement this is Nicole!! I am seeking God's heart today, and asking him to heal mine... what an awesome God we serve~
ReplyDeleteI love the way you describe yourself because I think we'll get along just fine =)
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