Hope
I woke up sad today. I think that happens for everyone here and there. My mind wandered to my Grandma Hazel. It was a habit of mine to walk down to her house when I was younger if I felt the need to be loved or seen. My grandma had this way about her, her entire face would light up when she saw you. Her eyes would be so bright and you felt loved and wanted when you were with her. Whether there was an issue at home or school she was the place I could take it to. She didn’t usually offer advice or try to fix it, but she did listen and offer me some mashed potatoes. I found myself this morning wishing I could be transported to her kitchen or walk with her on one of those nice spring days. However, as far as I know time travel is only real in the movies, so instead I grabbed my phone and played a video my cousin Brooke sent to me a few years back. In the video my grandma says my name and says she loves me. That did bring me momentary comfort. The reality though is that she doesn’t actually know my name anymore. My grandma , who has been the most influential person in my life, has Alzheimers now and doesnt know me or recognize my name from anyone else’s. If i’m being honest most of the people in our family are hurt, confused and mad at this reality. So, where’s the silver lining?
We’re in the season of Christmas. People are decorating their homes, baking goods, making lists and hiding weird looking elves all around their house every night (or morning if you forget) for their kids; only for them to wonder how he gets away with dumping powdered sugar everywhere, marking on the toilet seat or building a zipline in the house all without getting grounded. On the flip side of all the chaos is a time we celebrate called Advent. It calls us to slow down, spend time with Jesus and read the word of God. It’s split into four weeks. Each week focusing on a theme. Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Hope is the first week. Biblical hope is different from the way we may view hope. I think that was hard for me to grasp at one point. You’ve probably heard people say “I hope so”, as a reply when you mention the weather being nice for a planned outing or a product being stocked when you walk through the endless aisles at a superstore. The hope in Advent is much different. It’s a confident expectation that you’re certain of. You don’t have to wish that it will come to pass, you know it will. You’re just in a season of waiting for it. You may be enduring a situation currently but you have hope it’s only temporary. You know it will end.
In 2 Corinthians Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. In chapter 4 he addresses the light that the gospel (the good news of Jesus) is to others. He writes about the treasure of it, that has been deposited into us. As well as the fragility of us compared to the power of God. My favorite verses in that chapter though are 16-18. “ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient , but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
When I think about my grandma my flesh responds with anger, sadness, confusion, negativity and despair. The response from the Holy Spirit is Hope. I know what the world sees when they see my grandma. The outer self and the finality of a life that looks much different from the desire or expectation of what we want. But I’ve been given a hope and assurance that promises everything will be made new again. That restoration is imminent and promised. We’re just in a season of waiting. One day Jesus heals her, restores her and she will once again know my name. I have a confident, expecting hope in that. While I’m in a season of waiting (Advent) for this, I cling to the garments of Jesus. Putting all my hope in him. One day he will return and make all things new. Revelation 21:4 says “ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying , nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” As I eagerly wait for this restoration, I walk everyday with a purpose. To share the good news of the gospel to others, to spur them on and point them to a hope that won’t disappoint.
- Are there things in your life you’re putting your hope in that wont return on its promises?
- Do you have places in your life you are excited or desperate for Jesus to redeem and restore? Maybe you have even given up on the hope he will. He is still in the business of healing hurt, disease, broken things of this world my friend. Take it to him.
- While in your season of waiting , how can you give glory to God through it?
John 16:33 says “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble . But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I pray this Advent and Christmas season you will experience the hope, peace, joy and love the birth of Jesus offers.
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5
Living -Watered 