Lamentations 3:19-21 - The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still DARE TO HOPE when I remember this.
These verses from lamentations have followed me for a number of years. I find myself returning to them over and over again when life throws me a curve ball. When things aren't falling into place like I think they should be. When there aren't any answers to what I'm facing, the words "Dare to hope" fill me up.
This isn't a syrupy-sunshine-lollipops kind of hope. The kind that the world loves to lay on you. You know, the old "Cheer up things will get better." Sometimes they don't. Such times as these test my faith. Such times as these uncover me for what I truly believe. Am I a sham salesman of positive thinking? Are do I carry God's word in me that is my compass and directive for moving forward daily.
Addiction robs you of that compass. It drowns out the voice of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God cannot or will not break through all the noise to bring freedom and salvation. He can, and He will. But to those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Those who have reached the end of their proverbial rope and have no more game to play.
It is God who stirs them to look to Him since they have tried everything else and it proved worthless. But the idea of "daring to hope" simply means that you choose not to rely on the mandates, leading or precepts of this world to guide you. More than any of what I have listed here, you have made the decision that trying to run your own life profits nothing. TO put it bluntly, "the faster you go, the behind-er you get." Doubling down on your own efforts may prove to be a way out, but the sheer expenditure of energy and effort will drain you dry in a short period of time.
When I say that I dare to hope, I am saying that I have turned life, attention, time and my future (which began this morning) over to the care of God. My one and only thing I am responsible for is to listen for Him and follow His instruction. Maybe it really is that simple. Listen and obey, or as the old hymn tells us..."Trust and obey, for there's no better way."
Do you dare to hope this morning?
Do you dare to hope that God will grow you, stretch you and teach you as you learn to live life in new way?
Do you Dare to hope as you look back over all the years, the mistakes, bad choices and hurt you have caused? Then turn your attention to Jesus and let Him show you the better way.
God on you....
michael b
No comments:
Post a Comment