So here I go, tackling a biggie. I have literally been churning this post around in my head for over a year. With that said, I wish I had some deep philosophical words about my conclusions. But alas I do not. Hope. What does it mean to have Hope? I mean really, truly, be a person of Hope. It is a concept I wrestle with on a regular basis and feel just as far from an answer today as I did who knows how long ago. It is almost laughable to imagine putting such a vast concept into one blog posting, but maybe putting it to words in this posting will help solidify my heart on the matter. Maybe.
I started this post a year ago and then gave it up. I didn't know where to take it. It seemed to just be musings and lacked direction and purpose. Lately, however, Hope has been on my heart again. A variety of circumstances in my loved ones lives as well as my own have brought it bubbling to the surface. What do we do with our Hope? It should go without saying that all humans have Hope innately within us. It would be an entire posting on its own to discuss the exhibition of Hope in all of our lives. Without it we are not human. Without it we cannot live. Even when we don't want to Hope because the idea of having our Hopes dashed is too painful, we cannot help but Hope. But here is where the real question deep in my heart resides... how do I courageously have Hope when inevitably along with Hope comes the possibility that my Hopes may not be realized??? How do I encourage my loved ones in their Hopes when their Hopes may not be realized?? And then what does it mean when my Hopes are dashed in the realities of life that not all things I Hope for are fulfilled. Sometimes those dashed Hopes are small, but other times those dashed Hopes have a lifetime of implications. The idea that my Hopes may fail means I often try very hard not to Hope and I try very hard to control circumstances that are usually beyond my means to control. So what do we do!? How do we embrace Hope? What do we do when years and years pass and we still have received no answers in regards to our Hopes and Desires? And of course there is an answer to the question ... Is there anything I can place my Hope in that will not fail me? Is there any part of my loved ones or my circumstances that when all evidence points to hopelessness there is actually a seed of Hope within them? And how do I grasp onto that seed without losing it, that needle in a haystack, when the evidence is painful or "louder" than the whisper or breeze of Hope blowing thru? (sorry if none if this is making sense to you... at this point I guess it may only make sense in my own brain)
Let me give you a few real life examples from the past two months of our lives that may help you understand why lately my heart aches over this subject:
I started this post a year ago and then gave it up. I didn't know where to take it. It seemed to just be musings and lacked direction and purpose. Lately, however, Hope has been on my heart again. A variety of circumstances in my loved ones lives as well as my own have brought it bubbling to the surface. What do we do with our Hope? It should go without saying that all humans have Hope innately within us. It would be an entire posting on its own to discuss the exhibition of Hope in all of our lives. Without it we are not human. Without it we cannot live. Even when we don't want to Hope because the idea of having our Hopes dashed is too painful, we cannot help but Hope. But here is where the real question deep in my heart resides... how do I courageously have Hope when inevitably along with Hope comes the possibility that my Hopes may not be realized??? How do I encourage my loved ones in their Hopes when their Hopes may not be realized?? And then what does it mean when my Hopes are dashed in the realities of life that not all things I Hope for are fulfilled. Sometimes those dashed Hopes are small, but other times those dashed Hopes have a lifetime of implications. The idea that my Hopes may fail means I often try very hard not to Hope and I try very hard to control circumstances that are usually beyond my means to control. So what do we do!? How do we embrace Hope? What do we do when years and years pass and we still have received no answers in regards to our Hopes and Desires? And of course there is an answer to the question ... Is there anything I can place my Hope in that will not fail me? Is there any part of my loved ones or my circumstances that when all evidence points to hopelessness there is actually a seed of Hope within them? And how do I grasp onto that seed without losing it, that needle in a haystack, when the evidence is painful or "louder" than the whisper or breeze of Hope blowing thru? (sorry if none if this is making sense to you... at this point I guess it may only make sense in my own brain)
Let me give you a few real life examples from the past two months of our lives that may help you understand why lately my heart aches over this subject:
- A truly, truly brilliant man with more to offer this world than can be measured, who has been unemployed for longer than I care to mention and who is therefore facing an unknown and frightening future
- A beautiful, wise, and loving friend, full of life, facing a terrifying disease that has taken so much from her already and promises a long battle in the years ahead - barring a miracle
- Another precious friend facing a family crisis as her brother, who she deeply loves, is accused of a terrible crime and is therefore facing many years of prison... this one in particular is so complex as my heart breaks for both sides - truly!
- Loved ones living in the middle east facing the murder of one of their dear friends at the hands of terrorists and all the implications and sorrow heaped on them over this loss
- Watching a very public battle of a friend's best friend as he is literally attacked by a lynch mob of journalists, politicians, famous generals, talk show hosts, thoughtless self-proclaimed experts, and even fellow "believers" over something none of them truly understand and certainly few of them have ever had the courage to pursue anything as noble as he has pursued
- Walking with several precious friends as they battle with an unfulfilled and deep desire to be married and yet God has not yet provided then with a spouse - And don't think for one second that this battle is any less painful than the previous mentioned trials and it is certainly filled with just as many questions for God
- And finally, although I could certainly list more, our own loss of a little one (fondly referred to as our "Little Lentil") thru miscarriage and a following, endless heartache that cannot be put into words
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
So what do we Hope for when all Hope seems to be failing? We don't have to just Hope! We can know and stand firm that ... The real and Alive Beloved Father sees our brokenness, our shame, our sorrow and His infinite heart is flooded with a deep compassion, so great is His love for us! All of us!! In that compassion He too needed a solution, a Final Rock of Hope to stand on to release us, whom He eternally loves, from our Brokenness! So while He is Perfect and Holy, He has a Son who in His likeness too is Perfect and Blameless and Holy, and our Abba Father in His compassion and love for us sent His Son to Be Near Us, Be With Us. Knowing that His Son while Blameless would be Blamed. While Perfect he would be Condemned and Upon Him the weight of all our sorrow and guilt would be placed. That Son would know, as the Father knew, the weight not just of our sin but of a broken and lost and "hopeless" world and He alone would carry that baggage into death ... So that We. Don't. Have. to.
But that is not the end ... far from it ... He rose, fully alive, conquered death. Conquered what we can't. And in this way He Laid Down for us a Path Away from Brokenness to Healing. Away from Sorrow to Joy. Away from Death to Life. Our Beloved Father, Sacrificed His Son so as to give us the only True Solution and a Final Rock of HOPE. And one day those who believe will be With. Him. Free from Sorrow. Shame. Brokenness. Trouble. Loneliness. Death. Pain. Disease. War. Addiction. Abuse.
In the meantime we wait. In the meantime He. Is. With. Us. In the meantime He weeps With us. In the meantime He Fights For Us. In the meantime He miraculously draws with His Patient Love those who have no desire for Him to Himself. In the meantime His Spirit gives us the strength to endure. In the meantime He builds His Kingdom so as many as possible will join His family. In the meantime those of us who profess His name are made more into His Likeness. In the meantime we share in his pain as we will one day share in His Joy. In the meantime we know that there is a Happy Ending. In the meantime we know that this is not the end of the story. In the meantime our eyes are on the Father. In the meantime we groan and long for Him. In the meantime we know that a Good, Loving and Perfect Father is In Charge of All things. In the meantime we Trust, because of this story, that He. Knows. Best. In the meantime, we know that we know that we know That He Is FOR Us. NOT Against Us. In the meantime He Guides Us. In the meantime Our Hope Is Fulfilled even when our pain and sorrow on earth endures. We know the Bigger Picture beyond ourselves. For weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Praise Jesus!
So I put my hope in You Jesus, Abba Father. I put my Hope in the fact that one day all of this will be over. I put my Hope in the Fact that you actually are real, alive and care about me. I put my hope in the fact that you Promise to take care of me. I put my hope in the fact that you are listening and Hear me when I come to you with my sorrow. I put my hope in the fact that if you are not relenting with something in my life or loved ones lives then there is a reason that I don't understand that will be for Good, so I can wait with peace in my heart. I put my hope in the fact that on the days when I just cannot for the life of me get my heart to a place of peace your GRACE covers that and YOU STILL LOVE ME! I put my hope in the fact that no matter what I do, where I go, or how far I run (which let's be honest I am not a very fast runner) I can never escape your pursuit of me! I put my hope in the fact that this world has things to hope in that fail, but you will Never Fail me! I put my hope in the fact that you will exact justice. I put my hope in the fact that you will CERTAINLY Heal my loved ones who are sick. I put my hope in the fact that my Little Lentil is with you and how can I possibly argue that that is not better than what I could have ever offered him here with me. I put my hope in the fact that you know how sad our hearts are and you will comfort me, are comforting me. I put my hope in the fact that you are protecting me. I put my hope in the fact that I am literally never alone. I put my hope in the fact that my tiny pea brain only barely grasps how much you love me and even that little bit is absolutely enough to fill my heart in a way that nothing else on earth ever could dream of doing! And i put my hope in the fact that you win! Oh man Jesus, I cannot wait to be. with. You.
"the Lamb will triumph ... because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust —
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.
for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust —
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.
For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love. -Lamentations 3:19-32
by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love. -Lamentations 3:19-32
So what do we Hope for when all Hope seems to be failing? We don't have to just Hope! We can know and stand firm that ... The real and Alive Beloved Father sees our brokenness, our shame, our sorrow and His infinite heart is flooded with a deep compassion, so great is His love for us! All of us!! In that compassion He too needed a solution, a Final Rock of Hope to stand on to release us, whom He eternally loves, from our Brokenness! So while He is Perfect and Holy, He has a Son who in His likeness too is Perfect and Blameless and Holy, and our Abba Father in His compassion and love for us sent His Son to Be Near Us, Be With Us. Knowing that His Son while Blameless would be Blamed. While Perfect he would be Condemned and Upon Him the weight of all our sorrow and guilt would be placed. That Son would know, as the Father knew, the weight not just of our sin but of a broken and lost and "hopeless" world and He alone would carry that baggage into death ... So that We. Don't. Have. to.
But that is not the end ... far from it ... He rose, fully alive, conquered death. Conquered what we can't. And in this way He Laid Down for us a Path Away from Brokenness to Healing. Away from Sorrow to Joy. Away from Death to Life. Our Beloved Father, Sacrificed His Son so as to give us the only True Solution and a Final Rock of HOPE. And one day those who believe will be With. Him. Free from Sorrow. Shame. Brokenness. Trouble. Loneliness. Death. Pain. Disease. War. Addiction. Abuse.
In the meantime we wait. In the meantime He. Is. With. Us. In the meantime He weeps With us. In the meantime He Fights For Us. In the meantime He miraculously draws with His Patient Love those who have no desire for Him to Himself. In the meantime His Spirit gives us the strength to endure. In the meantime He builds His Kingdom so as many as possible will join His family. In the meantime those of us who profess His name are made more into His Likeness. In the meantime we share in his pain as we will one day share in His Joy. In the meantime we know that there is a Happy Ending. In the meantime we know that this is not the end of the story. In the meantime our eyes are on the Father. In the meantime we groan and long for Him. In the meantime we know that a Good, Loving and Perfect Father is In Charge of All things. In the meantime we Trust, because of this story, that He. Knows. Best. In the meantime, we know that we know that we know That He Is FOR Us. NOT Against Us. In the meantime He Guides Us. In the meantime Our Hope Is Fulfilled even when our pain and sorrow on earth endures. We know the Bigger Picture beyond ourselves. For weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Praise Jesus!
So I put my hope in You Jesus, Abba Father. I put my Hope in the fact that one day all of this will be over. I put my Hope in the Fact that you actually are real, alive and care about me. I put my hope in the fact that you Promise to take care of me. I put my hope in the fact that you are listening and Hear me when I come to you with my sorrow. I put my hope in the fact that if you are not relenting with something in my life or loved ones lives then there is a reason that I don't understand that will be for Good, so I can wait with peace in my heart. I put my hope in the fact that on the days when I just cannot for the life of me get my heart to a place of peace your GRACE covers that and YOU STILL LOVE ME! I put my hope in the fact that no matter what I do, where I go, or how far I run (which let's be honest I am not a very fast runner) I can never escape your pursuit of me! I put my hope in the fact that this world has things to hope in that fail, but you will Never Fail me! I put my hope in the fact that you will exact justice. I put my hope in the fact that you will CERTAINLY Heal my loved ones who are sick. I put my hope in the fact that my Little Lentil is with you and how can I possibly argue that that is not better than what I could have ever offered him here with me. I put my hope in the fact that you know how sad our hearts are and you will comfort me, are comforting me. I put my hope in the fact that you are protecting me. I put my hope in the fact that I am literally never alone. I put my hope in the fact that my tiny pea brain only barely grasps how much you love me and even that little bit is absolutely enough to fill my heart in a way that nothing else on earth ever could dream of doing! And i put my hope in the fact that you win! Oh man Jesus, I cannot wait to be. with. You.
"the Lamb will triumph ... because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
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