Did you know that the Jewish Year of Jubilee began on September 23? I just find it so awe-inspiring that while this is happening, I am beginning my own 50th year journey into freedom.
When I chose BRAVE as my One Word of 2015, I had no idea the path of bravery would take me into a closer walk with the Lord and lead me toward freedom in a way I’ve never experienced before. Sure, I’ve done a couple of brave things this year. I’m in a new job. I started an Etsy shop. I began sharing my artistic attempts online. I said yes to things I would have said no to before, just so I could say that I was being brave.
But what I am finding is that God is orchestrating a path into a sweet communion with Him through all this bravery. You see, bravery is not really being brave. It’s being scared silly, yet taking the step to do it any because you know Who has your back and Who will catch you if you fall. It’s about being okay with failure and enjoying the process in spite of the failure. It’s about holding the Hand of God while leaping out of the boat, trusting that He can make you stand firm, knowing He loves you and has a great plan for your life.
I’m so excited to be alive in this year of Jubilee and cannot what to see what all God has in store. It is going to be a year of growth, bravery, solitude, and freedom….and so much more, I’m sure.
Isaiah 61The Voice (VOICE)
The Lord has appointed me for a special purpose.
He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to repair broken hearts,
And to declare to those who are held captive and bound in prison,
“Be free from your imprisonment!”
2 He has sent me to announce the year of jubilee, the season of the Eternal’s favor:
for our enemies it will be a day of God’s wrath;
For those who mourn it will be a time of comfort.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-VOICE-18217a" data-link="[a]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”>[a]
3 As for those who grieve over Zion,
God has sent me to give them a beautiful crown in exchange for ashes,
To anoint them with gladness instead of sorrow,
to wrap them in victory, joy, and praise instead of depression and sadness.
People will call them magnificent, like great towering trees
standing for what is right.
They stand to the glory of the Eternal
who planted them.
they will restore the ages-old, once-splendid structures;
They will renew Israel’s ruined cities
from the ashes and debris that laid untouched for many generations.
5 And people will come from all over to serve you:
Outsiders will tend your flocks, plough your fields, and prune your vines.
6 You will be known as the ones specially chosen by the Eternal as priests;
people will speak of you as ministers of our God.
And the wealth of nations will come to you for your delight and enrichment.
7 Many called you disgraced and defiled and said that shame should be your share of things.
Yet you suffered doubly and lived in disgrace;
So double will be your share, and with joy everlasting.
I hate stealing and all manner of wrongdoing.
In faithfulness to those who do justice, I promise they will be rewardedfor their work;
and I will establish an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Furthermore, I will promise them My support for their children,
so that all nations and everyone around
Will see that they are the children blessed by the Eternal God.
because of the Eternal my God;
For He has dressed me with the garment of salvation,
wrapped me with the robe of righteousness.
It’s as though I’m dressed for my wedding day,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-VOICE-18225b" data-link="[b]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”>[b]
in the very best: a bridegroom’s garland and a bride’s jewels.
11 The whole earth sprouts newness and life in the springtime,
and green shoots break through the well-seeded garden soil.
That’s what it is like with the Eternal’s victory—
the Lord will cause justice and praise to sprout up before all the nations, for all peoples to see.
Have a blessed Monday!
Sherrinda 
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