More than Words: HOPE!

Hope…it’s a word that we use often in our everyday conversations. “I hope you are doing well.” It is a word we write in our cards or emails, “I hope you have a Merry Christmas.” But, with all our “hope”-ing I wonder if we really understand the true depth and meaning of the word hope.

Webster’s dictionary defines “hope” as a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment, such as - in hopes of seeing you.  It is also an expectation of fulfillment or success, such as – there was no hope of a cure. But hope can also be a verb: to cherish a desire with anticipation, such as she hopes for a promotion; or to expect with confidence, such as trust.

Hope is more than just a word.  It is more than how the dictionary defines it.  Hope is one of the foundations of our faith.  We Hope…we wait, we expect, we have confidence and we trust in God.

Hope is what we hold on to when life gets tough.  We are filled hope for all God has promised.  We have hope and the assurance of God’s amazing love for us.  We look forward with hope for what is to come. Hope cannot be seen, or felt, or physically grasped…it is something greater deep within us.

Hope is a word about waiting with great expectation. It signifies a deep sense of trust in a God who loves us more than we can even begin to comprehend. It is a simple word with a deep spiritual meaning. It is a word that is worthy of holding on to tightly…of perhaps even dwelling on daily.

A prayer for us today: Lord, as we journey into this season of Advent may we be filled with the wonder of Advent and all that it holds. May we wait with hope as we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child. May we hold on to hope throughout this season and into the year ahead. May we grasp the depth of hope in every breath we breathe. Amen.

Advent Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

May we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)