Arise

Isaiah 60: 1-2 (Amplified) - Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!  2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

 

I wrestled with determining my "one word" for this year.  In a still moment the Spirit whispered "arise".  I received some prophetic words before the close of last year.  I heard "be free" and "step out".  Alas, arise. 

I already sense a new direction in my heart - a direction in which I have to approach strangers, stand before them, and tell my story.  In turn, their hearts are renewed before the Father.

The more I meditate on Isaiah 60: 1-2, the less I feel that  arise is just for me.  These strangers, the ones I approach, will "rise to a new life" in the Father.  

There is a beckoning that befalls us during our walk with Christ.  He beckons us to lay down everything before him and live encroached by his grace, pursued by his favor, and engulfed in his love.  The new life is filled with peace, joy, and rest.  I count it an honor and privilege to serve the body by introducing others to renewed lives in Him.

Arise.