ONE GREAT HOPE: Darcy
Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4-6, New International Reader’s Version
We are in the season of hope. A season of waiting and expecting. These verses remind me of what I call boundless hope. Much of scripture is full of hope-filled stories. The scriptures are for our instruction, to give us steadfastness and encouragement, and to sustain our hope. God’s Word is given to us for our encouragement and our endurance in hard times. It is hope that keeps us going through tough situations.
I know going through the pandemic was hard on everybody, including me, but where did I draw my strength? It was through the scriptures. Dwelling in them daily, praying through them, listening to music that would highlight some of the verses. Even talking with friends and colleagues about what stood out in the scriptures brought me boundless hope.
Hope carries out the idea of certainty. Scripture gives us confidence from God. Boundless hope means hope without bounds or confines, vast, and unlimited. I believe God is hope and God is boundless. In the book of Romans, chapter 5 verse 5 says “…and hope doesn’t disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” God’s hope is everlasting.
Just as we wait for the birth of Christ, we wait in hope and in anticipation for His arrival. We live in a dark world that desperately needs light. The birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, brings the light that offers hope to a world of despair. It is also a reminder of the hope we have in God. We all need hope, and Jesus Christ and His birth in Bethlehem give us hope. This was the message delivered to the shepherds — “For unto us is born this day in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) This is a message of hope for the hopeless.
God of Hope, we thank you for your grace, love, and mercy, for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, the light and hope for our world. Help us bask in the boundless hope when we don’t know where to turn. Give us the strength and encouragement to keep on hoping. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.
Reflect on this:
How would you describe boundless hope in your life? If you are struggling to experience hope right now, could it be that you have drawn boundaries which confine God’s work, rather than being open to God’s hope “without bounds”?
Darcy Mittelstaedt lives in New Braunfels, TX
I serve as Bishop’s Associate for Leadership & Lifelong Faith Formation of the Southwestern Texas Synod. I am passionate about connecting with adoptees. Since the pandemic, I have found some of my orphan mates from South Korea, and I am planning to travel back to my birth country with them in 2024.
Thank you Darcy. Your words of hope shine brightly in this often-hopeless society we are traveling through. Having had boundaries drawn in my life which confined God’s work in me I know the importance of being open to all He offers and receiving His hope each and every day. As believers we are blessed to know a God who loves us unconditionally and provides all we need.
Thank you for this great reminder of hope throughout Scripture culminating in the birth of Jesus making His coming Kingdom possible! I can’t imagine living in this scary, hopeless world without our Great Hope!