Hope

“Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”  (MLK, 1963)

As a gardener, I excitedly look forward to Spring planting.  We collect our seeds, prepare our soil, plan out where we will plant what and when the appropriate season comes, we plant with the expectation of a great harvest.  Once the seeds are planted, we watch expectantly for them to survive the spring storms, the summer heat, the worms and the critters and push through the soil and mulch with tiny shoots that will eventually grow and bear fruit and vegetables.  Though the harvest may be months away, we wait with great expectation to see what this year’s harvest will produce.

Hear the words of the psalmist in Psalm 27:13:

·        I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.  (NASB)

·        Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  Wait patiently for the Lord. (NLT)

·        I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord. (CSB)

January is a time of reflection, of renewal and of hope.  With the new year comes new possibilities. We not only reflect on the year gone by but have made new year resolutions accordingly. While the pandemic in 2020 brought a sense of despair and hopelessness, we can look towards the New Year with hope for change and improved circumstances.   Regardless of pass hurts, disappointments, and despair, we can be confident in the Lords faithfulness as we wait for deliverance.  His mercies are new every morning. Let’s get excited about the possibilities of a better tomorrow!

·        Don’t lose hope!  Be confident in the Lord’s faithfulness.  His mercies are new every morning.

·        Wait with great expectation!  He has promised never to leave us nor to forsake us.

·        Stay the course!  Waiting on God does not mean being passive; rather, it is an active engagement of life’s challenges within the revealed will of God. Stay committed to what he has called you to.  Keep serving! Do the work!

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”

BARACK OBAMA