When a volcano erupts the immediate effects are devastating. The lava, heat and ash cover and destroy all the plants and wild life in the area. It turns into a barren, rocky land. On our squad adventure day we saw the effects of a recent eruption from an active volcano as our path got more treacherous, vast and ashy. We started out on hiking trails lined with green vegetation and as we got closer to the core emptiness started to appear. However, I found it beautiful and full of God’s presence. It reminded me of the verse in Isaiah 61 verse 3 of God’s promise:
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
All the magma from the eruption actually nourishes the soil and acts as a fertilizer creating a rich soil for beauty to sprout even fuller and better than before. The long term effects of an eruption create lush vegetation and create a new, fresh start. Just as God can do with our lives. Now life may look like a vast mountain of ash with gloom lingering in the air but let God in and fertilize your life so it may bloom and create a incomprehensible beauty. He is ready and waiting to restore your ashes into the beauty hiding underneath.
How you can help…One position I have on the race is heading up the Beauty for Ashes Ministry who’s mission is to bring God’s restoration and hope through training and empowering women. I prepping and preparing to lead my fellow squad sisters through the material so we can grow in vulnerability in a safe place and be equipped to disciple other women through the struggles of life. Please be praying for us as we dive in and the opportunity to take this ministry to the women we will be encountering on our mission. This ministry is based on the needs of the community we will be working with in the coming months. There is always a need for supplies to pamper and create a safe space for the women to open up and be impacted.
If this ministry is tugging at your heart strings send me a message! I am in need of a small supply budget so I can pamper my sisters in Christ as we learn how to connect with the oppressed women around the world!
Needs: table cloths, candles, art supplies, tissues (for the healing tears) and little chocolates and treats (what emotional lady turns down chocolate lol).
Fun fact:
Hot, active lava rock roasts mallows perfectly. You don’t get quite the browned look but cooks them thoroughly ;P
