Hope RestoredSample

Hoping for a Promise

I had just moved to a large city, and not only did I have no car, I had no driver’s license. God had been so instrumental in my move that I wanted to make sure I found a steady home church. I found a church that I could land in and started to attend it regularly. Every Sunday, I would get up an hour before service started and walk for one full hour to the sanctuary. Rain, sleet, or shine, I would walk all the way up the main avenue to get to church. It wasn’t possible to take a bus there because no buses ran that early, which made it difficult. However, I knew that I had to make this commitment to myself and to God. One day, someone asked me why I bothered to even walk to church. They scoffed that if it was them, they wouldn’t even bother going. I remember saying, almost with tears locked in my throat, “I’m sowing into my blessing. One day, I’ll be able to drive to church in a car of my choosing.”

I never let go of that dream God gave me—that I would get to pick out a vehicle of my choosing. I knew that God saw me on the days I would have to change clothes in the church bathroom from walking in the rain. I knew He understood I did this out of my commitment to Him. As I stood on my faith the day I told my friend that I was sowing my blessing, seven years later I sat in a car dealership as they asked me what color of vehicle I wanted for, yes, my dream car. The car I had always dreamed of for a fraction of the cost.

During those years of waiting for the promise, sometimes I wondered when the actual dream would take hold. I feel like we all feel like this. We are hoping for something, but we don’t know when it will happen. Jesus told his disciples a promise and gave them keen instructions not to leave the space He put them until that promise was fulfilled. I would think of this as a mind state. Don’t leave the space of faith until God has fulfilled the promise he set out for you. It can be difficult to hold on to, especially when it seems far-fetched. It was difficult for me to believe that God would bless me with my heart’s desires, but I had to believe it, even though sometimes it seemed impossible.

My faith wasn’t perfect. Sometimes it faltered, and sometimes I had to say words out of my mouth I didn't really 100% believe were true. But God only needs to work with a little bit of your faith. He only needs just a touch in order to move on your behalf. Whatever promise God gave you, don’t let go of it until He tells you to let go. Keep hoping, keep fighting, keep praying! Hold on!

Reflection:

1. Recall a promise or dream you've been waiting for.
2. How has your faith played a role in holding onto that promise or dream?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Help us to hold onto the promises and dreams you've placed in our hearts. Strengthen our faith and give us the patience to wait for your perfect timing.

In Jesus' name,

Amen