A Reflection on Hope
by LewisHope is defined as desire coupled with the expected fulfillment of the thing desired, and I think of that when I tell my wife, “I hope to be home by 6.” By definition that means I want to be home by 6 and I think I actually will be home by 6. And although I rarely get home by 6 (or whatever time I hoped to get there), my hope is genuine.
In that example I have some control (or at least I think I have some control) over the outcome. But what about the times that I hope for something and have seemingly no control over the outcome? Can we “put our hope” in someone else, and can we give someone else hope?
Believe it or not, there are people within easy walking distance of our church door who are living without hope and looking for it. Some of those hope to find hope, and some now consider their situation completely hopeless.
Our hope, like Paul’s, is in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 1.10), and we can bring that same hope to those around us. We will be doing that as we mail out cards about real life, real people, real love and real God. Of course we hope people will respond to those cards and come and visit us, and we hope that many of those who visit will decide to stay and make this their church home.
But my hope for this Sunday is the same as Paul’s hope for the churches in southwestern Asia — that God would open our minds and hearts to the magnificent hope of his calling.
I hope you’ll be here on Sunday.
Every blessing,
Lewis