I was struggling this weekend with what the Lord wanted me to share. I work as a health care assistant with clients who are developmentally disabled. When my client and I discussed my struggles, she just looked at me and asked why I couldn’t write about “hope.” I replied that I could write about hope.
Who knows better than me what it’s like to have expectations even of the everyday things that most of us take for granted? In my entire adult life, I have never expected breakfast, lunch or dinner. I never hoped that I would be able to brush my teeth before going to bed. I never hoped that the laundry would be done or the grocery shopping would be done, only that the laundry was done and the groceries were picked up.
So what exactly is hope? I believe hope is the belief that we may have what we really want or need. We know that hope is connected to faith but is separate from it. There is a difference because it is recorded in God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain…faith, hope, love…” (KJV). They are mentioned separately.
Faith gives you complete confidence, whereas hope is believing something is possible but not certain. At least, this is the kind of hope I see. I am always amazed that my clients, the people I care about, even expect me to show up for work. I take nothing for granted. What a joy it is to see this hope turn into faith.
Peggy Thompson, junior church teacher, Victory Baptist Church, Bloomsburg;
It is hard to put into words how great these amazing people are. They never give up and never allow themselves to lose hope. Hoping every day makes our faith stronger. Next time we find ourselves expecting to accomplish the smallest and most insignificant task, let us remember to thank God that we were able to accomplish it without any outside help.
Also, be careful not to take your independence for granted, because it can easily be lost. We live independently because God allows us to. Pray for those who are less fortunate, those who sometimes live without hope. Pray also for the many angels who have chosen their careers so that others can maintain their lifestyle.
Choose to follow Jesus’ teachings, because the only sure hope is the hope found in the blood of the Lamb. As we see His promises come true in our lives, the hope that it might happen turns into the faith that it will happen.
