5 min read
Gratitude in Recovery
One of UGM’s core values is Thankfulness, and this month we reflect on the pursuit of gratitude in our day-to-day lives and in the work of healing...
Editor's note: This is the sixth post in a special Christmas devotional series, focusing on Isaiah 61:1-3.
A Crown of Beauty instead of Ashes
By Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.” Isaiah 61:3
In ancient times, people sprinkled ashes on their heads as a sign of mourning and repentance. Jeremiah called the Israelites to “gird on sackcloth and roll in the ashes” because disaster was coming. After God speaks to him out of the whirlwind, Job says, “I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Ashes were also used as a reminder of mortality, recalling the dust from which Adam was created and to which we all return.
In a physical sense, ashes are what is left over after something has been consumed by fire. An item reduced to ashes is not just broken and in need of a little repair; it is destroyed. Bringing something back from the ashes takes a miracle.
For Starla, who came to the UGM Center for Women and Children directly from jail, ashes looked like an orange jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles. She was tempted to remain in those ashes because she believed that is what she deserved. But God says, It’s not about what you deserve. It’s not about what you’ve done. It’s about what I’ve done for you.
We do not need to live in the ash heap of our shame and regret. John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God says, I have seen and accepted your repentance; I will replace your crown of ashes with a crown of great beauty.
Starla is now living a whole new life – purified from all that lies behind – and her beauty is evident as, with unveiled face, she reflects the glory of Christ who lives within her.
So many of the men and women who come through our doors are living in the ash heap of shame and regret, believing that their sins are beyond forgiveness, but the gospel of Jesus Christ promises, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).
Worth Thinking About: Are you holding onto shame in your life because you think it’s what you deserve?
Take Action: Confess. Tell all your secrets to God and possibly to another safe person.
Join Executive Director Phil Altmeyer as he explores the reasons Christ came to earth in this free Christmas devotional.
Read the rest of this devotional series:
- A Front Row Seat to Holiness
- What's the "G" in UGM?
- Recovery: a Story of Brokenness and Healing
- Jesus Came to Proclaim Freedom for the Captives
- Jesus Came to Comfort Those Who Mourn
3 min read
A Pathfinder Responding to the Call from God
by Daniel Dailey, UGM volunteer I used to think, “If I’m going to be involved with anything like UGM, it needs to be effective.” The Holy Spirit...
4 min read
World Homeless Day
Every year on October 10, people around the world take a day to acknowledge the needs of those in their communities facing homelessness, and we...
Jesus Came to Comfort Those Who Mourn
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : January 2, 2015
Editor's note: This is the fourth post in a special Christmas devotional series, focusing on Isaiah 61:1-3. You may also want to read the...
Recovery: the Power of Gratitude
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : January 16, 2015
Editor's note: This is the seventh and last post in a special Christmas devotional series, focusing on Isaiah 61:1-3.
1 min read
Out of the Ashes
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : July 1, 2013
You may have noticed a theme in the 2013 Mission News. Over the past several months, we’ve been looking at the first three verses of Isaiah 61 and...