Shine in the Darkness - Part 2Sample

Hope

For more than a year, I’ve written a “Word of the Day” in my journal from my quiet time with God. Since I use an electronic journal, I was able to search for the word HOPE, and discovered it appeared 36 times! 

The most recent entry was on April 19, after one month of working from home. God used a YouVersion daily devotional (The Hope by Life.Church) to remind me of the difference between worldly hope and Biblical hope. Biblical hope is confident expectation. This is much different than the worldly hope of crossing our fingers and hoping for the best.

A few days later, I was reminded of hope while walking near a freshly plowed field. Prior to the plowing, it was obvious the field had been left fallow for a season. The farmer knew leaving it unplanted would allow it to recover its fertility and give him a better yield the following season—HOPE—confident expectation based on his knowledge and experience as a farmer. He will plant the seeds, fertilize them, and the beauty of God’s creation will grow into a new harvest. 

Each time I walk past that plowed field, I can’t help but think of HOPE! 

Based on God’s unmistakable presence, unending care and guidance in my life, I too have hope for the future—a confident expectation He will grow a fruitful harvest in me from the seeds planted in the fallow, from the time I spend with Him each day, from the yearnings and prayers I pray, from the questions asked and the tears shed in the waiting.

These days of restrictions, of stay-at-home requirements, of wearing masks and gloves in public, could be a metaphor of a fallow season. A field that lays fallow for a season seems unproductive. These days of waiting to see what our new normal will be can seem unproductive, unfulfilling, or maybe even useless. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth as long as we recognize a richer purpose. Deepening our relationship with God during this time is never unproductive or useless. 

In Psalm 27:14 David writes:

 Here’s what I’ve learned through it all:
Don’t give up; don’t be impatient;
be entwined as one with the Lord.
Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.
Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!

What is God inviting you to during your “fallow” season? How are you responding? Are you like me and one day feel brave and courageous and the next, lose hope? If God were to plow up the soil of your life, would there be evidence of deep, rich soil where even the smallest seed of hope is growing? (Mark 4:31) 

I encourage you to plant seeds of hope during this season in God-sightings as springtime unfolds around you. Look for Him in the beauty of the birds singing, the painted sunsets, or stunning sunrises. Look for Him in every plowed field you pass by for soon there will be seeds planted in those fields and crops bursting from the ground and just like those crops, God will harvest a crop in you from the richness of the soil you’ve been fertilizing and he’s been nurturing.

Author: Rhonda Jenkins, Director of Host Site Operations - Global Leadership Network