So many times I find myself in situations in life that are beyond my control to change and in the midst of these circumstances if I am not careful I will begin to believe that God must be disappointed in me. Truth is this is contrary to what his word says. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 21:6). God, as my creator, knew my beginning to my end and it’s no surprise to him that I am the way I am. My struggles, past, present and future are already written. Instead, what he wants me to know is that in the midst of my imperfectness (failures, disappointments and struggles) in this life and in my waiting for him to change things, I am not HOPELESS. One of my favorite passages that I read quite often is: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31). This is a constant reminder to me that the HOPE that I cling to for change, cannot be in myself, my education, my abilities, my career, my money, my friends or in anything that my mind(self) can conjure up to satisfy my fleshly desires. The day to day reality of this HOPE for me is that it is not something I can see, buy or create. “Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has” (Romans 8:24b). So often I step out thinking that I’ve got this problem all figured out, I can do this. I can. I - the common denominator in my mind. When I lean on myself, I fall. I fail and I am never satisfied or content with people, circumstances or life. If instead when I find myself in the midst of such times, I will chose to place my HOPE in Christ, rather than myself, I am promised (guaranteed) to not be left with discontentment. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings (failures, disappointments, mess-ups), because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE. And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5). This all surpassing, mind blowing HOPE in God satisfies my longings of change that permeate me within, producing abundant joy, peace and contentment while I am waiting.
Need some HOPE today? It’s only found in Jesus Christ.