Awakening Hopeናሙና

When I was about ten years old, my parents managed a Christian radio station. A small operation, it often became a family endeavor. My sister hosted a contemporary hits show while I debuted my disc jockey skills hosting a weekly children’s hour. 

What I remember most was the personal investment it required. The victories were ours to celebrate and the problems stuck around until they were solved. That investment included the tower. 

In case you’re not familiar, radio frequencies rely on very tall towers to transmit signals. Towers are required to house red flashing lights on top to warn low flying aircraft. When these go out, replacing them is an urgent management problem.

Although a licensed pilot and a lover of flying, heights did not love the management. There was no way my dad was going to climb that tower and change the lamps. What we needed was someone outside of ourselves to bring what was darkened back to light.   

This is what the Holy Spirit does within us in terms of hope. He brings to light what we cannot do for ourselves. Even a person with a temperament that leans toward happy and joyful on any given day can’t do this. It’s simply supernatural. You can’t raise your hands high enough or believe strongly enough to obtain it. We are not capable of solving our deepest issues of belief and trust in our God. This kind of hope must be awakened by the Holy Spirit, like a small broken lightbulb made new to light up the sky. 

What in your life has just about burned itself out?

Maybe you’ve done everything in your power to fix it--to bring back the light, but it’s still not working. 

Perhaps you are looking up at a very tall tower, wondering how you are ever going to solve this problem. It’s just too overwhelming. 

Consider outsourcing this job. You’re right. You can’t fix it. And it will burn out.

You and I were not made for Lone-Rangering our God-given responsibilities. Yes, God asked you to manage it. But bringing light where there is none? That’s out of your league. 

It’s time to call in the expert in all things bright and beautiful. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13