What are You Hoping for?

Our pastors have been teaching on Hope for the past several weeks.  With everything going on the world, it’s especially important to hold on the hope right now.  Hope is favorable or joyful expectation – expecting good things to happen even when you don’t see them or understand how they will happen.  It’s not always easy to do.  But Christians have been called to walk by faith and not by what we can see with our eyes (2 Cor 5:7).  The world can be a treacherous place – hatred and fear drive people to do some awful things.  But our God already knows that – He knows that the heart is wicked (Jer 17:9) and that the only way for us to ever line up with His Word and Will is through being filled with the Holy Spirit.  We can’t live a fulfilled live on our own. That’s why God sent Jesus.  Jesus came to earth so that we might have life and with one that is more full than we could ever provide for ourselves (John 10:10).  Jesus is the only way to the Father.  He is our Hope (Romans 2:8-9).

You know, I’ve been dealing with myself, wanting to do and be more and more like Jesus.  I don’t completely know what that looks like for me, but I know it should be obvious that I’ve been with Him.  See, when we intentionally and consistently focus on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit can and will work powerfully through us – He is the one to give us power to do God’s work (2 Tim 1:7). We can never do under our own power what the Holy Spirit can do – it’s just not possible.  We don’t have the capacity or the strength (2 Cor 12:9-10).  Unfortunately, it takes some of us a really long time to realize that.  When we stop relying on ourselves and lean more and more into God, through Jesus Christ, we will be able to accomplish more, understand more, love more, and forgive more. We’re still human and we’ll still make mistakes and have troubles, but we’ll be quicker to acknowledge them and get back on track. 

I continue to work on this – focusing more and more on Jesus so I can lean more and more into Him – remember He and the Father are one.  I’m not there yet and I know I have a long way to go.  I used to ask for things – the latest computer or tablet, a new car, etc. – and don’t get me wrong, I sometimes still do and there’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things.  But, there are things that are so much more important – the things that last and are eternal.  I’ve been praying when people see me, they will see the Jesus in me here on earth.  I hope God will use me to make other people’s lives better….whether through a kind word or a generous heart or some sound counsel.  I want to love the way He loves.  I know I can’t do that without His Holy Spirit consistently working in my life, so I have some work to do.  I have to pray more consistently with intention and get out of His way, but be obedient to His will and His word.

I challenge you to take a moment and consider what are you hoping for?  What’s that thing you want to accomplish?  What’s that thing you’re striving for?  Are you seeking God first for wisdom and understanding so your desires line up with His will?  If not, no better time than the present to start seeking Him.  Remember, Hope is favorable expectation. Don’t lose sight of it, no matter what is going on at the time.  If God be for you, who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?