Awakening Hopeنموونە

What we’ve learned about hope and how it increases is that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in us what nothing else can. He is the Hope Awakener. But for all the promised fullness to be realized, you and I are expected to participate by drawing near, without pretense, pure in heart. Don’t think it’s going to be easy or without ample opportunities to take up something less intrusive like badminton, instead. 

Discouragements may come, but you and I are in this together. So that we are not tempted to go it alone, the writer of Hebrews drives home the necessity for Christian community. It’s difficult to be provoked to love and good works if there are no occasions to do so. Doing life together, becoming knowledgeable of genuine needs and then acting upon them, is more than checking off your Good Christian boxes. The writer is not articulating a To-Do List for how to score BIG with God, but something more like how to Waltz. It’s as if he is trying to convey that when all the steps and motions fall into place in this fullness of hope he’s been describing, it’s exhilarating to experience and nothing short of magnificent to behold. He doesn’t want us to miss it! 

What if we don’t like to dance? 

That doesn’t seem to be on the table for discussion. I don’t mean to sound so dramatic, but the writer believes eternity is at stake in this business of hope. There is urgency here, even an increased intensity. Whether you choose to learn how to Waltz and try it out for yourself, so to speak, or not, a day is approaching. A day is coming when each one of us will account for our engagement with the Savior. 

In God’s economy, our salvation is dependent upon faith in Christ alone. But we’re clearly responsible for one another. If one of us becomes discouraged, defeated, even disinterested so that the love and good works are not accomplished, the day will still approach. It’s a severe reality revealed here, but revealed nonetheless. We will be responsible.

This calls for earnest prayer. Prayers of forgiveness for where we are lacking. Prayers for wisdom in how to move forward. Prayers for the willingness to do the dance, and encouragement for those entrusted to us. 

Oh, let the Holy Spirit continue to awaken the Hope in us! 

Find more resources to help stir a desire for God into your everyday life from Cheri at http://www.sheyearns.com