"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so, you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

Isaiah 61:7-9 NIV

· God knows we experience all forms of exile, darkness, and trouble because he gave us free will to choose him or our sinful nature. His promise of beauty for ashes is the very life in his breath.

· Are you ready to surrender your ashes in exchange for beauty?

Opening Prayer: God, thank you for your reminder that there is no destructive force in this life that is greater than what You can redeem. Instead of shame, you promised Isaiah that we will receive a double portion and rejoice. Help us to step outside of our broken thinking, and instead choose to identify ourselves with hope. We depend on your strength when we are weak, marinating in your love and promised restoration. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Breath Prayer: Inhale: Beauty / Joy / Praise

Exhale: Ashes / Shame / Heaviness

“…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.” Isaiah 61:3 ESV

· The people in Zion were mourning, and the prophet Isaiah stepped up to share good news. Much like we do, the people of Zion were grieving the “good old days” of past generations and complaining about the work of rebuilding the temple. What they’d lost felt too unbearable to envision a new beginning. God can bring a harvest of righteousness from our brokenness. Hope and joy out of what seems withered or dead.

· God is always reminding us in his Word that even death is not the end of his eternal creation. His very breath generates life, from any ashes or dust.

“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

· When beauty for ashes was promised through Isaiah, he was encouraging us to look ahead. He was reminding us that things of this world will pass, and we need not suffer in our grasp to the beauty we thought once was.

· Isaiah acknowledged a new covenant relationship with God. One so radiant, that the truth of it would cause people to display God’s splendor.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”

Isaiah 60:1 NIV

“To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:4 TLB

· We have intrinsic worth and value in God’s eyes. We are not defined by our sins or the sins against us. God wants us to surrender into His loving and capable hands, to follow His path, and to live our identity in Christ. Then we can witness how He brings beauty out of ashes.

· Jesus gets it! You are not alone. Jesus’ body was broken by the sins against it and His blood was spilled. Yet Christ lives in His God-given identity to save, give, love, and renew.

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:19-20 ESV

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3:18 NLT

· Beauty for ashes defines our hope. Because of Jesus, we no longer sit in the ashes of our own sins or the sins against us. Are you ready to surrender your ashes in exchange for beauty?

Closing Prayer: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26)

May the blessings of this practice remain with you,

enriching your life and the lives of those you meet.

It is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I pray, Amen

Thank you for practicing with me, Shalom

Published Spring 2022, Christian Yoga Magazine

Unsplash Image @ross_savchyn