Hope Keeps Us Moving
Hope is so much more than wishing for a better tomorrow. In this series, we'll explore what it means to know Abba as the God of Hope and discover how His goodness and Love allow us to live fully today and look toward tomorrow with hope.
Faith Trusts, Hope Expects, Love Never Fails
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
When The Road Gets Long
Some seasons feel less like running a race and more like putting one foot in front of the other.
I've had some of those.
You probably have too.
Nothing dramatic happens. The prayer remains unanswered. The situation hasn't changed. You aren't giving up, but you are tired of waiting.
Paul writes about something he calls “endurance inspired by hope.”
I understand that better today than I did when I was younger.
Sometimes hope simply helps us take another step.
Three Traveling Companions
Paul keeps putting faith, hope, and love together.
I don't think they're three spiritual accomplishments we're supposed to master.
They belong together because they grow from relationship.
Faith learns the faithfulness of Abba and trusts Him.
Hope begins leaning toward the future because of what we've learned about His heart.
And Love?
Love is the Life carrying us through both.
That's why Paul says Love is greatest.
Hope Gives Us Somewhere To Lean
Hope doesn't always feel like excitement.
Sometimes hope looks like planting something we may never sit beneath. Loving someone when growth seems painfully slow. Praying again. Showing up again. Believing that what we see today isn't the whole story.
Hope keeps our hearts leaning toward what Love is still doing.
Hebrews says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
Notice where the weight falls.
He is faithful.
Keep Walking
Today, I have fewer tomorrows ahead of me than I did at 29. But I don't find myself hoping less.
I find myself hoping for more.
More Love revealed.
More people discovering who they are in Christ.
More broken things restored. More of His Kingdom becoming visible in ordinary lives. And ultimately, the restoration of all things.
I'm not simply waiting to leave this life for another one. I'm living the Life of Jesus now while leaning toward everything His Love is still bringing to fullness.
Faith keeps trusting.
Hope keeps leaning forward.
And Love keeps carrying us Home.
Reflection
Where has waiting made me tired?
What future is Abba inviting my heart to lean toward?
What can I keep planting today because I have hope for tomorrow?
Prayer
Abba Father, when the road feels long, keep hope alive within me. Let Your faithfulness give me courage for another step, Your future give purpose to what I plant today, and Your Love carry us together into all You are making new. Amen.