The Year of the Lord's Favor
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion--
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
ISAIAH 61:1-4
The year of the Lord Favor is 2020
A new year brings new years resolutions and change. People make their plans and life continues on. I was so excited about my March 12th birthday. I turned 65 and embracing a new season of life. My suitcase was ready and my clothes laid out to go to a Sweet-life Conference with Darlene. We both felt checked in our spirit not to go. Suddenly faced with a new thought pattern that our world was changing. The next day the Conference was canceled. We were heading to shelter in place made by our Governor of California. That Sunday March 15th, the news would come. People 65 and older, were to shelter in place. A few days after that, the complete state would be in shelter in place. It brings my mind to knowing that God was at work to protect us from this virus. The only way to stop it, was to separate people the Governor said.
Could God be at work during this season of life? Yes, most certainly he still controls things. The Bible says to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. We can learn a lot of this and History is being made for generations to come. Learning a new normal and hoping to see the freedom again to go stores soon. Freedom to see our families and hug again someday. Trusting the process of change is all we can do and continue to pray that suddenly things will change.
You can read the rest of Isaiah 61 in your Bible or online. God has a plan and we don't always see the complete plan. We learn to trust him and do life daily. Let this season of life bring you closer to God and his ways. I don't always understand the why of things either, but I do understand that God is faithful. As I see the picture above, I am reminded of the beauty of God over a yellow mustard field. The two little girls are my granddaughters and the picture brings back good memories of that day. I choose to believe big and know that this day is one day closer to no shelter in place again. I do believe that people will be able to go to beaches again, movies, games, church, outside gathers and learning that family means a little bit more than yesterday.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie