There are actually two definitions for this little four letter word:
1. hope (noun): the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
2. hope (verb): to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to believe, desire, or trust
Allow me to add a third if I may:
3. hope (verb): the act of wishing for something or circumstances to potentially work in ones favor
That third definition is the one the majority of people walk out in their lives. We have lost the true essence of what hope is and how it’s presented in scripture. Even worse is when it’s mistaken for naive optimism. As you might’ve guessed hope has been a theme on my heart recently, and a very strong one. Why? This entire situation is almost based off it! I hope people will find it in their hearts to support this cause. I hope I will be able to be fully funded. I hope to get all my student loans paid off before I leave. I hope for a lot of other little things personally. Hope drives us, hope gives us a little thread of something to hold on to when we have nothing else. Hope is an expectation that God can and will provide.
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Meditate on that for a second. Seriously. Roll it over in your mind. Personally I like to think the more we hope for the more room it gives God to do work. I’m not foolish enough to believe I can change the world on this trip, but God can. God can through anyone he wants. Why on earth would I ever want to just settle to avoid disappointment? If there is one thing I know God has been telling me for as long as I can remember it’s “bigger.” Much to the dismay of my parents at times I would want to do a little bit of everything. Every sport, every activity, you name it. Simple little vacations? Pffft no, let’s go to Italy for 2 weeks and get lost in Florence! Simple camping trip to Tennessee? Nope, let’s meet up with a friend in Nashville I haven’t seen in years, then camp outside of Chattanooga, and just for kicks drive to Durham to get a free night at the Hampton with a fancy steak dinner to boot.
I’ve pretty much let God have his way with me this year and it’s been awesome. This new thing I’m doing is just another cannonball. Thing with hope though is it also requires action on our part. If we are willing to move, God will lay out the stepping stones and bread crumbs. We mat not be able to see the next step, but be assured God has already planted it within reach for us, even if on occasion it’s more like a leap.
I think we need to be careful with confusing optimism and hope. Optimism means you just focus on the positives of a situation and anticipate a potentially positive outcome. Hope is so much more broad and in depth than that. Hope looks at the whole picture, even if the negative outweighs the positive, and still chooses to believe the situation or outcome can be turned around. Hope and faith can almost be interchangeable.
Hope is an action. Optimism is not. Hope is steadfast regardless of what is seen or known, optimism focuses on what we observe. Hope is knowing change will happen.
Are you starting to get the picture? I am not throwing my needs to the wind wondering back and forth if things will be provided for. Honestly I am still growing in this. It’s hard enough raising funds for this mission, even harding believing God will provide a way to get my loans paid off, but it’s on my heart. I am hoping, anticipating, trusting all will be taken care of even if it’s nothing like I’m expecting. I listen for opportunity. I pray for favor. I worship when I doubt and am afraid.
This whole thing is so much bigger than myself. I want so badly for this to be a witness to people here at home too and not just the lives God will be impacting through me while I’m gone. The stark reality is, we see no need to hope sometimes. “Things will work out on their own.” You know what that really is saying? “I’m not willing to. Someone else will take care of it.” Here’s an even harsher statement: The door has been left wide open for the enemy to keep doing as he pleases, and nothing is being done to change it.
When that revelation hit me I could not sit still anymore and putz around wondering “well what can I do? Where do I start?” I promise the moment you sit and ask yourself that seriously and press in listening for God to answer he will show you and you will know it. Even if it’s just an inkling.
Woo ok…sorry getting a bit preachy, but it needed said. Hope is not fluffy word. It’s one of strength and resolve. That’s all most people have. Like I said. I know I’m one little person in a big mess of a world, but it’s the hope of one other lost person to find the truth and love they need, and I am probably that hope God will use to extend to them as a messenger he has heard them and they are not forgotten.
I heard a great teaching by Bill Johnson on my way to work, and sure enough it was on hope. I’m paraphrasing when I say this but here’s the gist:
There are 2 kinds of hope. Hope we have rooted in our flesh, and then the hope of heaven. When our hope runs out the hope that comes by the spirit consumes it and takes over. Our hope will battle and fight and push, but the hope of heaven just takes it all in and settles our hearts.
I am hoping for more than I ever have, and I anxiously await to see God make his next move.
