Wow. Those words are powerful. Think about it.
….and then
hope
appeared
How would I know when hope appeared? What if I missed it? Would I catch a glimpse of it off in the distance or would it be waiting for me just around the corner? Would I see it if I opened my eyes. Or maybe I would have to open my heart to see hope? I wondered.
Is it just me or does it sometimes seem easier to feel hopeless rather than hopeful? I started to think about that as I stood at my tree, reflecting on the words and what they mean to me. It does seem like the times when I felt hopeless about a situation, hope did appear. Sometimes it came by way of a friend’s phone call or text. Other times, I found hope in the words preached in a sermon or in the lyrics of a hymn sung at church or a song on the radio. God was always present, shining a light for me when I felt surrounded by so much darkness. I didn’t always see hope right away, though. Sometimes I wouldn’t see it until I rounded the corner and practically slammed into it. I bet I’m not the only one who experiences this.
As a community of faithful people, First United is full of hope! I love that about our community. Sure, we’ve had some dark days over the years. Days that seemed full of despair rather than of hope. But I look back at those times and am reminded that we were indeed hopeful. We know hope is something God promises us even in the darkest of times.
So in this Advent season when COVID-19 cases are surging at their highest rates ever, will hope appear? Of course it will. And although we may have to wait a bit longer than we’d actually like, we can be assured of this. God’s love and promise to us remains present even when we aren’t so sure ourselves. Just know in your hearts that hope will appear. Vaccine distribution will begin before the year is out. In January we will have new national leadership to guide our nation. Our economy will begin to recover. We will worship together, in person, again.
I pray for God’s love to fill you when you are feeling hopeless.
Dear God,
Help us to see hope when it appears.
Amen.
