Alpha

Alpha – I am the one who begins

Tenuous. Stretched. Torn, pulled apart. Mesh frayed at the edges. Worn out, worn down.

The strain, the tension, the brokenness, the pain, the agony, too much to bear!

Beyond it!

I’m done!

What will you do?

From beyond I come!

I am beyond it. I start where you finish! I begin where you end.

You have brought me to the end of myself. No more of me! I’m done!

Revelation 21:5-6 And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine). And He [further] said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I [Myself] will give water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life.

I work with the broken pieces, the ruined pieces, the ancient ruins. My specialty is restoration!

The fragments of your life, I’m bringing together. I’m rebuilding the ruins!

I promise to give you beauty for ashes. Ponder that, let it sink in!

What is beautiful about ashes! Of what use are ashes. You pile them up. You throw them up in the air. You mourn in sackcloth and ashes. You embrace misery. But it is of no comfort! Where is the beauty in the burnt up, useless remains of all that you value?

Are you not tired of misery, are you not sick of the pain, are you not weary of it all?

Will you receive from me? Or are your hands full of misery!! You have embraced misery!

You hold your head in your hands, you close your eyes, you choose to see darkness.

Hear my voice and receive what I am offering.

I speak things that are not, as though they are!

I declare beauty in the ash heap.

Who would ever expect to find beauty among the ashes? And yet did I not form you from the dust, the formless mud? Did I not shape you with my own hands? Have I not breathed into your lifeless body?

To receive was your first act!

And yet now you refuse to receive!

Unlock your mouth, release your clenched fist, unfold your arms. Be undone, be unwrapped, expose yourself.

Jeremiah 31:16-17 Thus says the Lord: Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord; and shall return from the enemy’s land. And there is hope for your future, says the Lord.

Receive me, hear my word, receive my promise.

I’m excited that you are done! For now I can start!

Look for my hand at work. Look for restoration, for healing.

In the place of ruins, I’m building something beautiful! It glistens, it shines in the dark, it is immensely valuable. All will look and see the wonder of my handiwork.

Your broken pieces are in my hand. Will you trust me to perform the work? Will you give heed to the new thing I am doing?

Put your hand on mine. Hold fast to that which I have promised!

This is the dawn of a new era. Today the sun shall rise and expose, unveil my handiwork.

Be excited, be jubilant for this is the year of Jubilee. Let my joy flow in you and burst forth with excitement at what I am doing, and all that is to come.

Jeremiah 31:12-13 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion and shall flow together and be radiant with joy over the goodness of the Lord—for the corn, for the juice [of the grape], for the oil, and for the young of the flock and the herd. And their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall not sorrow or languish any more at all. Then will the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old together. For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow.

Be not desolate, be not as one who lacks, be full to overflow with my oil of joy!

Isaiah 61:3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.