Pastor Trudy's Message
The message this week: Character Produces Hope. This verse from a Romans reading we will have later in the year is a helpful frame to look at the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He is unable to chart his own course—the only thing he can choose is how to live through it. Through his suffering, he perseveres and lives out of a deep well of character built through God's presence with him. And this is key...because the Lord was with him, Joseph was successful— not because of his work alone. It may be hard for us to admit how many things in our lives are out of our control. That means it may be hard for us to see God's presence, too. We are invited to focus on God's presence first, to live out of that, and then, whether things are seeming to go well or not, we will find hope.
Loving God, You are our hope. Help us to notice where we are putting our confidence in things that aren't as permanent or steady as they seem. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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