Hope Amidst Heartache
How are you spending your time right now? Some of us are spending more time outside like the old days before technology altered society. Others are exhausted with work and family duties amidst the closures. For me, I’m chipping away at my long list of books that I always meant to read. Our predicament right now regarding civil unrest, anger, and viruses reminds me of the beginning of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The script is as follows:
Senior Angel: A man down on Earth needs our help.
Clarence: Splendid. Is he sick?
Senior Angel: No, worse. He’s discouraged.
We may not be sick physically, but many of us are discouraged. Previously, life ran at an exhilarating pace with our busy schedules and normal routines. We saw co-workers face-to-face and greeted people with hugs and smiles. As my mother pointed out recently, it’s quite difficult to read people’s expressions under those face masks!
Personally, I find that while working from home has its perks, I have way too much time to think. I think about my future. I think about what I want to do when this quarantine season ever ends. I think about my goals/things I need to work on for myself. I think about desires and prayers that I’m still waiting on God to answer. I grieve what this year could have been.
I am a planner at heart. I absolutely love making lists and plans and preparations. For many of us, the idea that we cannot plan on something because the regulations are constantly changing diminishes our hope. Without hope, what’s the point of anything? Yet, those who put their hope in eternity with Christ will not have to fear being discouraged.
The word hope has significance to my family and to me. After my mom had my brother, her firstborn child, she got pregnant again and had a miscarriage. Once she got pregnant after that, she was able to have a healthy girl – me. God fulfilled the desire of my parents’ hearts for another healthy child and so they gave me the middle name, Hope. This word hope encourages us and helps us maintain some positivity about the future. The Bible says in Romans 5:5 that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Where does your hope lie? In your job? In yourself? There is proof right now in this very season that anything besides our hope in our Savior won’t measure up. For those of us that are Christians, who have a personal relationship with Jesus, we need to stop wallowing as if we are lost sheep. We do have an eternal hope. We won’t be discouraged by Him because He fulfills His promises.
The story of Mary and Martha in the Bible always resonates with me. I’m definitely a Martha with my to-do lists yet Jesus praises Mary for spending time with Him. In the NIV version of this section in Luke 10, Jesus says, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Are you spending time with Jesus? We’re afraid of trusting and hoping in things because we can’t count on them right now. Our fellowship with Jesus is something we can have assurance in and count on in our lives.
People are watching your reactions as a believer. Have you allowed yourself to breakdown under all the changes or are you exhibiting a peace that baffles and magnetizes people? Our culture needs hope.
Will you light its path?
C. Montgomery