Our Hope is Jesus!
Mike Dwyer / Pastor of Congregational Care
These days it might be hard to find hope. We are continually hit with news of the terrible things that man does to man. There is a pervasive spirit of divisiveness everywhere and kindness has all but disappeared. We see that many are unable to disagree without being disagreeable if not downright mean. It is exhausting! So as this state of affairs was driving me into a funk I was reminded of Isaiah 40: 31, “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 be faint.”
In the Greek mythological tale of Pandora, she is given a box by the gods full of things and instructed by Zeus not to open it ever. She of course opens it and lets all manner of evil and miseries loose into the world i.e. sorrow, deceit, and strife. All that remained in the box was hope. It is hope that provides us with comfort and the ability to persevere. Hope is our solace, a reprieve from the woes of the world.
This week I found hope in the most mundane of things. As I simply walked through the week, I found hope in the bustling activity of my grandchildren and their friends. Concerts filled with “Americana”, soccer games, Karate tournaments (obtaining his green belt), long, long dance recitals, graduations, awards ceremonies, floating in the swimming pool, minor league baseball games, hot dogs, licking ice cream cones, and watermelons without pits. I found that the sweetness and innocence of the next generation drove my anxieties and worries far away from me. They gave me hope for the future and peace for today.
As I watched and smiled I found that I was no longer caught up in partisan politics or financial concerns. Jesus told us to follow the lead of the little children. Just watching them for a while can bring back the smiles! God has reminded me of the good things we have and the great hope for the future. Our hope is Jesus! I pray for each and every one of you what the Good Book says in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Now GO and OVERFLOW!