perseverence and purpose

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
-----because the LORD has anointed me
-----to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
-----to proclaim freedom for the captives
-----and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
-----and the day of vengeance of our God,
-----to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
-----to bestow on them a crown of beauty
-----instead of ashes,
-----the oil of gladness
-----instead of mourning,
-----and a garment of praise
-----instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
-----a planting of the LORD
-----for the display of his splendor.

-isaiah sixty-one : one through three


http://www.shanebweb.com/lyrics.html
[check out the song "beauty for ashes" under the upstairs album]

i am encouraged by what i see happening week after week at our meetings--people showing up to share in an active pursuit of justice. i do not doubt that there are big plans in store for us. this campus is ready for change; so is our church, and so is our world. when we spoke earlier tonight about our own lives--about the simplicity we are pursuing and at the same time lack--, i realized how much bigger than us this movement really is. we are shaking things up on campus and in our own churches (and in our own lives most of all), but there is so much left to be done; nevertheless, persevere. we can be the change; through christ, we are the change, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. stay strong over spring break, and i look forward to seeing you again on the twenty-first.