HOPE: The Place We Find Ourselves

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)

Or said another way by my fellow sojourner, Eugene Peterson:

“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” Hebresw 11:1-2 (MSG)

Hope is a funny thing. Its the feeling or expectation or desire for a certain thing to happen. From a Biblical perspective this HOPE is that the Creator of Universe will one day stop the moaning and groaning of the earth and fulfill the divine plan to restore paradise. God has embroidered an element of hope into the hearts of his followers. Today I find myself resembling the cat poster - the one where the kittens claws are dug into the wall ,hanging on for dear life. Although my faith remains solid, I’m hanging on for dear life, hoping that the something new that is coming will bring relief to my present pain. I’m entering into this Christmas season, remembering the wide eyed expectation of my little ones - but realizing they are now grown up now. I’m remembering times when my family assembled with predictable precision honoring a laundry list of traditions - but knowing that we will not assemble the same way. And I’m remembering a season that included time for cocoa and reading Christmas stories under a tree laden with lights and handmade ornaments - but recognizing I need to be disciplined to experience this, this year.

So my hope for this year is to pause long enough to remember what the celebration is all about. I hope I can remember to re-ground myself on the faith that my Heavenly Father is Bigger, Stronger, Kinder and Wiser than me. And a hope that I can discipline myself enough to stop - set aside the work - and become transfixed with the image of the nativity. I hope that I will be a little different…for the better… after 30 days of remembering the the baby who truly changed everything.