“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 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.”
Does this scripture give you hope? It sure does give me hope!
A few weeks ago, I mentioned how my foundation is so strong, and I likened it to the extremely strong roots of a bamboo tree. Bamboo tree roots reach far and wide, growing over a period of years.
In fact, that little bamboo tree is growing underground for four years, developing a root system strong enough to support its potential for outward growth in the fifth year and beyond? Had the tree not developed a strong unseen foundation, it could not have sustained its life as it grew.
The same principle is true for people who patiently toil towards worthwhile dreams and goals, building strong character while overcoming adversity and challenge. They grow the strong internal foundation to handle success.
Those who get rich quick in lotteries are winners who usually cannot and most do not sustained this new, unearned sudden wealth.
What does this have to do with beauty for ashes? Let me say it this way: When you are out there honing your craft daily but not seeing results, do not despair. God will take care of you!
Are your neighbors peeking out the window, watching you water and fertilize your field week after week? They think you are a nutcase for sure, but you’re watering and feeding your strong root system, your foundation!
This is your key! God will surely restore your life. The scripture reminds us how He will give you beauty for ashes!
Ashes from the loss of a job you had for many years; loss of a spouse, one whom you devoted decades of your life. And now you really don’t know which way to turn.
Scripture says our God will give you beauty for ashes during these times! Just act like that bamboo tree, never giving up on the thing you were sent to this earth to achieve! It doesn’t matter one bit what others may say or think about what it is YOU were sent her to achieve. Like a young baby trying to learn to walk, you keep right on falling down. But that baby only learns to walk by getting back up again and again. We as adults often fall down only one time, and we decide we are finished with that. Go back to those basic instincts you were born with. Get back up again and again.
Read that scripture on a regular basis to remind yourself that the Heavenly Father will indeed give each and everyone reading this column, beauty for the ashes you have become. You feel as though you are no longer the person you once were. That’s where the ashes comes in.
Look at Job, he lost everything he had. Flesh fell off his bones, and his wife told him he ought to “curse God and die!” Job said, “All the days of my appointed time, will I wait til my change comes.”
And even if God doesn’t do it for me, I know He can give you beauty for ashes!
Lyndia Grant is a radio talk show host on WYCB (1340 AM), Fridays at 6 p.m. Visit her website at www.lyndiagrant.com. Contact her at 202-558-2107 or lyndiagrant@gmail.com.