Hopefulness vs. Hopelessness
By Ken and Jam Merop
Avery County
Oh, how I hoped icy rain or snow wouldn’t arrive on our wedding day back in February 1982 in New Jersey. A bitter winter had already been in full swing.
A friend had offered to escort me to the church in his antique car…and take Ken and me to our next destination. On our limited budget, his offer provided a classy ambiance without cost as we enfolded our two young families into one that day.
There was one stipulation. The car couldn’t be brought out in icy rain or snow. So, we prayed and hoped.
Hope is a word that I love hanging my hat on. Just saying the word uplifts the spirits and puts a spring in one’s step because of the promise and prospect of faith, based on conviction.
But for others, that word may not offer that response. Instead, a person may dissolve into tears because they do not see evidence of their expectations coming to be. Things look hopeless.
The Bible is a book full of hope. Its meaning is filled with anticipation, aspiration, and confidence. When I read of hope in the Bible, I take heart…especially if things are looking dim.
It’s much like the word faith. Many people say they have faith. But, if that faith has no substance, it’s shallow. In whom we place our faith matters greatly. So with hope.
I’ve been thinking about H O P E and how the letter ‘H’ can stand for Heavenly Sonshine. “O” can stand for Overflowing in my soul. “P” can equal Promises of God. And “E” can denote Eternal significance…every day.
“…We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…” says Colossians 1: 4 & 5, NKJV. That is Heavenly Sonshine at its best.
The beauty of it is described in Titus 1: 2, where it says, “In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie, promised before time began…”
This hope belongs to every believer. It is what we bank our present and our future on because we know in Whom we have believed.
So, on that day almost 33 years ago, had icy rain or snow come (which it didn’t!), we may have been disappointed not to use the antique car. But it would not have devastated our eternal hope. That is secure… “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1: 27).
The same is true now when everything seems upside down.
Hopefulness vs. hopelessness? Place your hope securely in Christ and live in 2021 with confidence. Selah
Clouds Descending
Not content to stay skyward,
these clouds fell amongst the mountains
creating an amazing panorama.
Sometimes the clouds of life fall upon us!
Might we consider that there’s sweet rain
within to refresh us…a silver lining?
“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”
Psalm 36: 5
________________________________________________________________________________
Ken and Jan love residing in the mountains of Avery County. Visit Jan’s new blog @pauseandconsider.net, Journeying with Jan. Ken’s photos can be seen at kenmeropphotography.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Ken and Jan HERE.
________________________________________________________________________________
