WHEN HOPE INSPIRES THE HEART

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There was a gathering of friends some years ago, where a two-year old little boy finished playing for awhile and sat himself down on the couch.  He was waiting patiently with his arms at his side as his mother administered the treatment he needed for leukemia.  The other kids quickly stopped what they were doing and came over and sat beside him.  In the amazement of us all, the little boy smiled sitting so still as if this was something normal for him to do.  Just watching him be so brave and having a peace about him, took one’s breath away.  He had a sparkle in his eyes and the curiosity of a boy, always off running and playing when he had the energy.  In and out of hospitals for a year, the little boy brought joy to all he met, not a complaint to be heard and he showed no fear.  He constantly talked about Jesus as if he was right by his side keeping him safe.  And that is exactly where Jesus was – He was always with this little boy, every minute of his life and for reasons we do not know, Jesus carried him home at an early age right before his third birthday.  The grief of the family and the brokenness of a mother were unbearable to comprehend as one may imagine it would be like with losing a child.  Many years have past since this time, but one thing is for sure.  This little boy in all of his suffering displayed love with hope and faith in his actions as well as his words.  With hope, joy awaits what is to come looking beyond the brokenness of this world.

Hope seems to be something many people are seeking or grasping for in the midst of the times we live in.  And too often, we find many different things fighting to offer us hope.  However, whatever we are facing, true hope is persistently whispering to us to come follow in its path.  This hope brings us to a place where we confidently expect something good will happen in the future.   Biblically speaking, hope is the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.  And in this Advent season, we look forward to celebrating the birth of the author of hope, Jesus, who is our foundation.  As we look further in God’s word, Hebrews 11:1 shows us that hope is a component of faith – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, for the conviction of things unseen.”  Do you find yourself believing with your heart in this faith that hope is a part of?  Are there times, where life seems hopeless to you?  How is it if we believe in this hope, we find ourselves in seasons of not clinging to it?

I have come to realize in my own life when I have lost my grip of the true hope it is because I have looked for other things to fulfill me.  In these moments of emptiness, I reach out to the Lord and he draws me close.  Turning the focus to the Lord changes me and causes reliance on the only hope there is.  Hope is what I saw in the little boy who died so young, and that is what I want to strive for everyday no matter what I face.  What about you?  Who or what are you placing your hope in?  Do you have this hope that Jesus offers?

This little boy in all of his suffering displayed love with hope and faith in his actions as well as his words. With hope, joy awaits what is to come looking beyond the brokenness of this world.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

May Hope Inspire Your Heart Everyday of Your Life.

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