We have heard that when Jesus was born on that first Christmas, He brought peace to our troubled relationship with God.
We understand that Jesus was sent by God, who is love, as an expression of that love for us. A love that would sacrifice His only beloved Son so that we too might become His children.
We understand the joy that comes from knowing that God is for us and has made a way for ALL people to spend eternity with Him. Something we could never achieve ourselves.
And we rejoice in this news at Christmas, when we are so focused on God’s expression of love for us.
Yet throughout the year we struggle when things are tough. We understand that we have been delivered from sin, but lament that we were not delivered from problems. When we allow our circumstances to be the focus of our lives.
It is then that hope becomes so powerful.
Hope should never be confused with positive thinking nor is it a physical emotion. Hope is not the strong desire that tomorrow morning your spouse will hand you a set of keys to your brand new BMW on the driveway – that’s wishful thinking!
Hope happens when all circumstances in your life are bleak, when you don’t understand and every cell in your body is crying out for you to panic, take control, run and cry.
But you don’t, because you can’t. Your heart is filled with peace and joy.
The unknown becomes a source of limitless possibilities.
Hope is living according to the promises that you know God will keep.
Hope is understanding that the deity of Jesus means He can save us, and the humanity of Jesus means He understands us.
Hope is saying that there may not have been room in the Inn, but I will make room for Jesus in my life. Not just at Christmas, but every day.
We understand that Jesus was sent by God, who is love, as an expression of that love for us. A love that would sacrifice His only beloved Son so that we too might become His children.
We understand the joy that comes from knowing that God is for us and has made a way for ALL people to spend eternity with Him. Something we could never achieve ourselves.
And we rejoice in this news at Christmas, when we are so focused on God’s expression of love for us.
Yet throughout the year we struggle when things are tough. We understand that we have been delivered from sin, but lament that we were not delivered from problems. When we allow our circumstances to be the focus of our lives.
It is then that hope becomes so powerful.
Hope should never be confused with positive thinking nor is it a physical emotion. Hope is not the strong desire that tomorrow morning your spouse will hand you a set of keys to your brand new BMW on the driveway – that’s wishful thinking!
Hope happens when all circumstances in your life are bleak, when you don’t understand and every cell in your body is crying out for you to panic, take control, run and cry.
But you don’t, because you can’t. Your heart is filled with peace and joy.
The unknown becomes a source of limitless possibilities.
Hope is living according to the promises that you know God will keep.
Hope is understanding that the deity of Jesus means He can save us, and the humanity of Jesus means He understands us.
Hope is saying that there may not have been room in the Inn, but I will make room for Jesus in my life. Not just at Christmas, but every day.
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