See the word to the left? That big word, in many colors? Yes, that one! The word is “hope.” I am quite certain it is a popular word, concept, idea today — to everyone reading this Blog. I can honestly say that each day, when I look in the mirror, converse with my family, talk, meet, and fellowship with others — that everyone seeks hope in something or someone.
Consider now what you are hoping for: _____, _____, _____, _____, ______. Fill in the blanks with what that is and what it looks like in your life. I talked to someone Thursday on the phone, for nearly an hour, and he was hoping he wouldn’t be laid-off on Friday. I talked to a lady this week at VBS and she hoped her relative would make some necessary changes when he moved back. In the mail today, I received a postcard from a friend and he was hoping to get home soon from Iraq. When I went to the dumpster this morning, I hoped my car would start. I know business people who hope for a customer to place an order. We could go on all afternoon.
Do we consider, however, what God hopes for? What God desires? How He hopes we will do _____, _____, and _____. Or, how He hopes we will quit doing _____, _____, _____. Again, fill those blanks in. My whole point in this blog is to draw attention to the Hope of the Potter. I know that He has hopes for each and every one of us; ones that He wants to see come to fruition in our faith and in our lives. We do well to remember that He is preparing us, leading us, cultivating us, and yes, correcting us. Perhaps today He is hoping you will reconcile with your spouse, seek forgiveness from that child or friend, demonstrate patience with that co-worker, extend your reach and share His Hope with that neighbor, or kick that habit to the curve once and for all. Could it be that God is hoping you will actually walk through those doors of opportunity He is opening — that you might be a beacon of His hope to others?
Saturate on this: “Be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart, all that hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24). Now, in case you haven’t done so yet, go back and fill in those blanks. Yes, that means YOU (:-)
Hope in Him,
Pastor Porter
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