A stake in the ground for HOPE

"Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:25-25

I've made it a goal for the next 30 days to read Romans 8 at least once during my day.  Why?  Because it's so refreshing to me right now.  Just listen to these titles: Life in the Spirit, Heirs with Christ, Future Glory, God's Everlasting Love!  I need to be reminded of those things everyday.  I'm praying that as I read and re-read this chapter the truth tucked away inside these passages will stick with me.  It's amazing that even in the first couple days of this challenge (to myself) I'm being reminded of these truths which change the way I think.

There is such richness in theses verses.  It's funny to me how you can have a chapter packed with really great truth and the Spirit can highlight one of them above all the rest for that season in your life.  For me, right now it's HOPE. Again,

"Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:25-25

I started journaling about Hope and found that it was easier for me to tell what hope was not to get me on the path of what it actually was.  

Hope is not passive.
Hope is not uncretain.
Hope is not shakable.
Hope is not temporary.
Hope is not a question.
Hope is not in what is seen.
Hope is not pretend or wishing.

HOPE by definition: a strong and confident expectation.  

Now for the Sunday School answer (but not at all shallow)...Hope is in the unseen, the super-natural, in Jesus!!  It's funny how I forget that simple truth sometimes.

So many times I find myself scared to hope because of past disappointments.  Sometimes I feel like the enemy is daring me to hope again whispering, "Go ahead. Hope.  Don't you remember what happened last time?" This leaves me less strong and confident and more wishy-washy in what I'm hoping/believing for.  

But God.  But truth.  The Bible is so inspiring to me in so many ways.  It helps me remember who I am in Christ and what he promises and sings over me. 

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zeph 3:17

So today I will hope again in faith, forgetting past disappointments and focusing on what is not seen.  Now for the waiting patiently... :)

On my playlist this month!