Jubilee is Dawning

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach 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 gladness
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)

today is an appropriate day to share where the name for my blog comes from. i have always been captivated by the beautiful picture of restoration and provision God gives through the year of jubilee. and God is restoring me in my own "year of jubilee." the time span is much longer than any calendar year, but God's hand is at work, breaking the chains of slavery and delivering me from the wicked one.

my heart bears many scars of the past, some of which own me more than i own them. and sadly, i've wrestled with them for more than i should. God has begun to remove the veil and restore me to what i can completely be in him. where i had nothing but ashes, God has restored beauty.
there are so many words i could say about the scripture from Isaiah concerning my jubilee, but i think they are best left in their original form. my heart has never felt more whole, more complete, than now, reading through those powerful words, knowing God has covered the darkness with the light of His unfailing, neverending, forEVER love.

and that is my jubilee. it is still dawning. praise God.