One of my struggles is that I tend to look forward to things. I look ahead, I see the possibilities, then I set plans and aim for what I am looking forward to. I become attached to what I’m looking forward to instead of being “here” “now”.
My experience is that to “hope” is to look forward to something with anticipation. “Hope” can also be some relief from a situation that isn’t quite here yet. I know a couple of women named “Hope” but that’s not what I’m talking about.
Hope for me is aiming for a goal. I exercise faith and start doing things that lead to fulfilling the goal. The key tends to be that faith.
In the book of Hebrews in the Bible the writer says that “faith is the evidence of things not seen”. I like the Message transliteration of the Bible for Hebrews 11:1-2: The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” (https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/97/heb.11.MSG)
It’s so hard when we can't see any evidence of God from where we are here in this life. But it helps to put your hope in something. And you will put your hope in something.
Hope is like a chair. You can see the chair, see how it’s built, touch it to know it’s real. You hope it will hold you up.
But faith is like sitting in the chair. Until you actually let the chair support your weight you haven't really put any faith into believing it will hold you up.
Because of our instant feedback/instant access/instant gratification nowadays I find it challenging to exercise faith today. I choose over and over to put my faith in God. I hope you do, too.
Bonus material:
Pentatonix "Mary Did You Know"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
Bible Project video on hope
YouVersion Bible app
