I鈥檝e almost stopped reading, listening to or checking on-line for the news, a big change for a self-confessed news junkie; I never thought that day would come because frankly, I鈥檝e always enjoyed keeping up with current local, national and international happening. These days, however, I have restricted myself to listening 聽to the reports just once or twice a day. (Emails notices don鈥檛 count)
So why the change? Simply this: while there always have been bad and difficult things to report, positive accounts of good news and good things seemed to balance out the challenges. Not anymore. Political chaos in North America and Europe as well as scorching fires across our province have left me deeply saddened; I want to hear something nice. Something good. Something uplifting.
This week I read a devotional describing the difference between waiting for hope and waiting in hope. The difference is significant: When life throws us difficult circumstances it鈥檚 a whole lot harder to deal with them while looking for hope instead of being able to face them with a hope-filled heart. Waiting for hope to arrive breeds despair; waiting in hope is that expectation of better things ahead.
I鈥檝e said this before but it鈥檚 always worth repeating: to walk with Christ doesn鈥檛 guarantee financial prosperity, physical healing or instant solutions to all our problems. What it does do, however, is enable us to face monetary struggles, pain, sickness and every other challenge life throws at us with the calm assurance that God is with us and will enable us to be over-comers.
鈥漀ow may the聽God聽of聽hope聽fill you with聽all聽joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in聽hope聽by the power聽of聽the Holy Spirit.鈥� (Romans 15:13)
PS: Re my need for something enjoyable, good and uplifting, this Sunday morning鈥檚 sermon met the criteria.
