"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." Isaiah 58:12
I loved my nail business. From my clients who were so loyal; my co-workers that worked diligently beside me honing their craft; the salesmen that visited regularly to provide me with what I needed to make my works of art; my little nook that welcomed all, but one at a time, of course. I took my job seriously and grew my business in more ways than one. Each of my days at work were spent holding someone's hands, listening, talking, sharing and loving. I knew the good, the bad and the ugly of most all their thoughts (taking all their secrets to my grave). We laughed and cried and rejoiced in God.
When it came to what I was actually there to do for them; why they paid me, was giving them a set of beautiful fingernails. Either a brand new set or repairing those that were once new but had lived a couple of weeks of the everyday life and was in need of some TLC; repairing and renewing. Now comes the part I thrived on.
You see, as soon as my patron would arrange herself in the cushioned seat directly across from me and we would say our "hellos" and "how are you's" I would then begin my survey of her hands. I must say, some lived harder on the ends of their fingertips than others and that was okay by me. I enjoyed a good challenge of cleaning, repairing; filling in gaps and crevices, rebuilding into smooth, shiny and strong once again. Taking something that was used up and washed out and lovingly mending back in to almost perfect once again. They often would apologize for how destructive they had been over the past few weeks but I never cared, I brushed it off and would think to myself, "it's my pleasure".
The blessings God promises for the true worshipper are endless (Isa. 58:8-12). Those who serve God with sincere hearts and actions also accomplish things for God's kingdom. You can't build anything for God's kingdom on the foundation of a halfway (parttime) walk with Him.
We live in a broken world (I know that is not news to you) but we need to face it every morning we open our eyes. I tend to get caught up in my little world without thinking of all those around me that are lost, hurting, lonely, or even hungry. In every direction there are broken hearts and broken homes, and what we once held as sacred is but a wasteland; the sanctity of marriage and family are led by different definitions to some than what the Bible holds as truth.
Isaiah gives us hope through Christ. In giving our life to Him we can carry Christ's characteristics in us.
In Isaiah 58:10,11 it reveals we can have:
~An enlightened life.
~A guided life.
~A satisfied life.
~A fragrant life.
~A sustained life.
~A productive life.
"If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not going your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord..." Isaiah 58:13
We must hold what is true and believe that God has this world in the palm of His hand. We must strive to live a life of Christ everyday, being a humble and willing servant to our Lord.
Our Lord is the Ultimate rebuilder of broken hearts and lives and...it is His pleasure!
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, You are all we need to face this world as it stands today. May we run to You and work feverishly to love others, give of ourselves and know that You are who You say you are. I stand on the promises of Your written Word. May it be a lamp unto my feet. Amen.