We - the brokenhearted, the captives,
and the prisoners - will be beautiful, joyful, and full of praise.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is
on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim 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, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of
vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those
who grieve in Zion – 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. They will be called oaks of
righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his
splendor.”
At Outflow, for the past few months,
it seems we have been confronting more darkness and chaos than usual.
People have been coming during the day, knocking on the door with
despair in their eyes. Despair over a number of situations. Drugs.
Alcohol. Abuse. Loneliness. Fear. Broken relationships.
God is working on this city. Our
Sovereign Lord is picking up the pieces and welding away in the
spiritual atmosphere, something so beautiful, we will never be able
to imagine it. Instead we wait, sometimes impatiently, sometimes
patiently, for Him to continue to restore this city and the souls in
it.
162 Waterloo Street has become a
shelter in the evenings and during the day. But its not just the
place. One can have their spirits lifted, and comforted, outside of
this building. When we walk and talk with people on the streets, at
home, at work, at school, at church, we are affecting the atmosphere.
God is with us and there is not really a moment to spare. Isaiah 61
reminds me so much of what we try and do at Outflow. We try and
comfort those who are mourning and those who are walking around with
a spirit of despair. We are promised that there will be joy, freedom, and a release
from darkness, even when you are in the middle of the trial.
There is a promise in Romans 8:28 that
“...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.”
God, we ask You to continue to move in
this city and through us. Please continue to use us and forgive us
when we have failed. We pray for this city and for the people that
live here.
Laura Duncanson
Community Liaison
