Embracing Advent: Hold on to HOPESample

LOOKING FORWARD WITH HOPE

What is faith? 

It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. 

It is the certainty that what we HOPE for is waiting for us,

even though we cannot see it up ahead.

– Hebrews 11:1 (TLB)

Faith is being confident that what we hope for is waiting for us… But how can we be so confident?

We can be confident in the future by looking back at the past. We look forward with hope by looking back at God’s faithfulness to us.

This chapter in Hebrews goes on to list heroes of the Old Testament and recount the ways that God was faithful to them in the most implausible circumstances. Reading these stories helps us to look forward with hope by looking back at the times that God has been faithful.

How do you remember God’s faithfulness in your own life?

Our Christmas tree is a mishmash of ornaments. It holds an array of curious baubles and keychain charms that mark the memories of various travels, special family moments, and childhood memories.

There is an ornament for each of my 23 anniversaries with my husband. There is an ornament for each Christmas we’ve had with our kids, themed with whatever activity or obsession dominated that year. Filling the spaces in-between are the 12 Days of Christmas Disney ornaments my in-laws gave us before we had so many wonderful mementos to fill our tree.

When I look at that tree, I am amazed at all the precious memories our family has stored up over the past couple of decades… and I look forward to the additions that will inevitably adorn our future Christmas trees.

In the same way, we need to store up our collection of memories of God’s faithfulness. We need to treasure these remembrances, then pull them out every once in a while to remind ourselves that He will continue to be faithful to us.

What are the ways you’ve seen God work in your life in the past? I encourage you to remember the times He has answered your prayers… the times that you’ve seen Him open doors… the times that He has been faithful to you... and take note of them.

This Advent season, if you are feeling concerned that you cannot see what is up ahead — look back. Look back, just as the author of Hebrews did, and let God’s past faithfulness give you confidence and HOPE in your future.