Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.
If I had the skills of some of my talented artist friends I would illustrate the Bible verse above. There is amazing beauty in the images of shaking off the dust of grief and fear, of rising up from the muck and mire, of breaking psychological and circumstantial chains and walking in freedom to our rightful throne as a daughter [or son] of the Most High.
I’m thinking of this verse today because I am [finally] starting to put together my one little word (1LW) journal, and it is the key scripture for my current word—RISE.
I have had little motivation to grapple with my 1LW, so my friend Cy of Pink Nabi and I challenged each other to work with our words this week. I’ve been randomly collecting [my own] thoughts, artwork, and poems, but have not pulled anything together. Despite my lack of intentionality in this regard, I see how God has been working in me all along—healing, loosening the chains, and providing the strength for me to “rise up” from the dust.
Out of all the “rise” scriptures, I’m most drawn to Isaiah 52:2. I understand the historical context of the scripture and its call to ancient Israel, but I find its message applicable for us: It reminds us that we have already been set free from everything that binds us. When we act on the decision to rise, we’ll find the chains have already been loosened—and our throne awaiting.
Pics and Posts 
I’ve always gravitated toward Isaiah and Jeremiah. I think “rise” is the perfect entry to Isaiah studies.
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I didn’t think about my Isaiah study when I wrote this post, but I’m looking forward to how my reading of chapter 52 explodes by time I get there.
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I gasped when I saw your gorgeous tree. Luscious shiraz, soothing sky blue, glowing golden hues. Strength, warmth, pure delight.
Reading the verse, the strong images came alive for me. Rise up. So many reasons we must. Stand tall.
Beautiful post, Chandra. Thank you 🙂
Have fun with your journal!
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Thank you, Sheila! Yes–rise up!
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Beautiful tree! I love the idea of the 1LW journal and choosing a different word each week. Inspiring!
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Correction, deeply exploring one word all year!
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If you haven’t tried it…yes, do try it. You will grow so much through the practice.
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I’m not one for Bible verses, but that is beautiful and, yes, resonant today.
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Yes. It speaks. It speaks. For some reason, it is so visually rich that I am almost compelled to hire an artist to make it visual for me.
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The image and the verse speak deeply to me… and likewise, I think, to this moment.
A question about 1LW, if I may: is the word chosen by the person reflecting, or assigned to them by someone else? It sounds like a practice that could yield some great contemplative moments.
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Hi there! You choose your own word. Read my earlier post to get some ideas on how to choose (it’s linked in this post). If done “right,” the practice will lead you to places you didn’t know you needed to go. That’s for sure…
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This is so beautiful! I love the imagery in this verse as well! Fear keeps me bound, and I want to break free from it!
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