Today's Scripture:

Isaiah 58:6-12 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Isaiah 58:6-12 calls us to a fast that is not about ritual deprivation but about justice, mercy, and love. It urges us to loosen the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free, share our bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless. In this season of Lent, the passage reminds us that true fasting is not just about what we give up, but about what we give out—our compassion, our presence, our generosity. Reflecting on Frank’s story, I hear God’s call to open my heart beyond expectations and beyond what seems practical. Frank may not have fit the mold of a "job seeker," but he belonged in that space, and welcoming him became an act of worship. Lent is a time of repentance, but also of reorientation—toward God’s heart for the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized. This passage asks us: Are we making space for the people God places in our path? Are we willing to love with open hands and hearts, even when it’s inconvenient? Isaiah 58 invites us to see fasting not as a private discipline, but as a way to reflect Christ’s love—by showing up, by giving freely, and by recognizing Jesus in the people we are tempted to overlook.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
As I read and reflected on Isaiah 58:6-12, the words, “Is not this the fast that I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yolk, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yolk? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house?” jumped out at me and the Lord immediately put an old friend, Frank, on my heart. I met Frank through my first job after college, where I served as the manager of a job training program at the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). Frank was a Vietnam War veteran who had been unhoused for many years. He visited our food pantry regularly for assistance, and it was clear he had endured significant trauma. His condition left him disabled, unable to cope with many of life’s pressures, including stable employment. So when Frank showed up in our job training program one day, I knew he had been mistakenly referred. Yet, instead of turning him away, we welcomed him. We found him a cozy cubicle space where he could store his belongings, and he eagerly participated in our program orientation. After orientation, Frank returned to his cubicle and began working—identifying job leads, or so I thought. At the end of the day, he handed me pages filled with his notes. When I looked down, I saw not job leads, but handwritten scripture—verses he had committed to memory, verses that carried him through life. He looked up at me, recited the passages aloud from memory, thanked me for allowing him to stay, and went on his way. For the next year, Frank followed the same routine. He would visit the food pantry and then make his way to the job training center. He would sit quietly, writing scripture, and at the end of the day, he would recite scripture to me. Each time he spoke, it was like he was sharing a little more his story through the verses he had chosen that day. Those visits became the best part of my work, to be completely honest. Technically, Frank wasn’t supposed to be in a job training program without actively seeking employment. But I couldn’t shake the words of Matthew 25:35— “I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Something in my heart told me that not only did Frank belong, but that welcoming him was an opportunity to welcome Jesus Himself. Twenty years later, during mentoring at Paul Revere Middle School, I’ve noticed a pattern lately—the same few kids show up each week, asking for a mentor, eager for pizza and cookies. And I remember Frank. Technically, these students aren’t part of our mentoring program. But just as I couldn’t turn Frank away, I can’t turn them away either. So, yes, our mentoring program has grown—by four students in the past month! Frank taught me about seeing people, welcoming them, and recognizing the divine opportunity to be generous—with our love, our time, and our resources.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
Isaiah 58:6-12 is calling me to respond with a heart that sees, welcomes, and serves others—not just when it’s easy or expected, but especially when it’s inconvenient or goes against the norms of the world. Through Frank’s story, I am reminded that God’s justice and mercy often don’t fit into our structured programs or rules. This scripture challenges me to respond with an open heart, trusting that love, presence, and kindness are acts of worship in themselves. This scripture calls me to lean into generosity—not just with resources, but with patience, time, and attention. It challenges me to keep saying yes to those who seek comfort, companionship, and belonging, even when others might question why. Ultimately, this scripture calls us to respond by looking for Christ in the people the world overlooks—because in serving them, I am serving Him.

About Kristy Elmore:
I serve as the Director of Mobilization and Mission Partners, as well as the Director of Friends of Westchase. I am also the wife of Hugh Elmore and mom to Thomas (14) and Townes (12). Our family joined Grace in 2017 when our boys began attending Grace School. It is an honor to serve both Grace and Friends of Westchase.
We have been covenant partners at Grace for 8 years, and I serve on staff as Director of Mobilization and Mission Partners.