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 A collective reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and LoveMonday, December 2, 2024 |
| Hope in the Midst Isaiah 40:30-31 Hope necessarily means waiting. I hate waiting. Sometimes, while waiting, I try distracting myself or finding something “useful to do” to soften the drag (like checking my email for the Journey of the week!). This practice may soothe the “wait pangs,” but it ultimately distracts from the object of my hope. Whether it’s waiting my turn at the DMV or in the Space Mountain line at Disneyland, I will lose focus on what I’m hoping to do when I get to the front. I think our hearts are built to hope. When you notice the urge to distract yourself, pay attention to what your hope says about your situation. In my own life, I have hoped for people to defeat the urge to take their own lives, to survive a grim diagnosis, as well as to defeat their demons of alcoholism, psychosis, and other extreme problems. Before this chapter of Isaiah, the Hebrew people lost their national independence (to Assyria) and their freedom (captives at Babylon). Many of their best warriors (think fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers) were likely killed in the related battles. When reading the phrase “young men” in the Scripture here, these may be the boys (and girls) who lost their parents to captivity or death. Imagine how this trauma profoundly threatened their ability to remain connected and secure with each other. They were refugees in a foreign land. Not only was this a huge disappointment in their political situation, but imagine how devastating it was for their families. While reading the book of Isaiah from start to finish, you might notice a pretty stark change in tone in Chapter 40. Isaiah is bringing a message of hope and encouragement to the Hebrew people. I know sometimes I am waiting….waiting….and waiting for something encouraging, but then I go to bed feeling disappointment. This message from Isaiah resuscitates my hope! Hope is powerful. Hope in the Lord is MORE powerful. This 2024 Advent season, I believe many of us are nervous with worries of political divisiveness, family conflict, and uncertainty about our own finances or careers, etc. Let the guidance of this passage wash over you and whatever you are hoping for. See if you can access hope not for an outcome but for God’s comfort, nearness, and relief in the way he can provide. Take a minute to ask God to increase your hope. Slow down (maybe you are reading this while in line!) and note the areas that God may hope to renew in you now. Notice where your hope is going, and let him renew it now. Anonymous PRAYER FOR TODAY Jesus, thank you for being the ultimate hope. Help us form deeper hope in you. Help us know how to be believers in your power. Help us see the people in our lives who need us to bring them your comfort as ambassadors of your hope, even in our own fatigue, confusion, and disappointment. We cannot comfort others without allowing your comfort into our consciousness. Please renew our hearts with your hope today. |
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