ARISE FROM THE ASHES

ISAIAH 60:1
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

Every woman in ministry knows what it feels like to sit among ashes — the ashes of disappointment, exhaustion, or seasons that didn't go as planned. Sometimes the ashes come from ministry wounds, betrayal, or the quiet ache of feeling unseen. Other times they come from simply pouring out until there's nothing left to give.  

But into that very place, God speaks: "Arise" 

Not because everything around you is fixed. Not because you suddenly feel strong. But because His glory is rising upon you- right where you are.  

When Isaiah wrote those words, God's people were surrounded by darkness and discouragement. Yet the command was not to wait for the light- it was to rise and shine, because the light had already come. The call to "arise" isn't just about standing up; it's about shifting your focus from ashes to glory, from what's been lost to what God is restoring.  

Maybe you've been sitting in a season where your confidence feels shaken, or your joy feels dim. But friend, you are still chosen, still anointed, and still called. The same God who breathes life into dry bones can breathe life into weary hearts.  

Today, God invites you to arise- not with striving, but with surrender. You don't have to muster up light; you only have to reflect it. The glory of the Lord is already upon you.  

Journal Prompt

Where have you been sitting among ashes - emotionally, spiritually, or in ministry? Ask God to show you what "arising" looks like in that area today.