graphic: Martha G. Brady

It is New Year’s Eve and I’m thinking about the coming year. 2018. Wow! It seems it was just the other day when it was turning 2000! That was almost 20 years ago.

Time is moving very fast. My lifetime has gone way too fast! When I used to hear people talk about it being like the blink of an eye, I used to think, “Yeah, right!” But it is so true!

Word for the year: HOPE

But back to my word for the year. This year has ended on a down note in some ways. I am glad I had the study I did in the Fall. It gave me some more positive thoughts to fall back on when the year started going downhill fast! But I knew I needed some more help.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across this book: Embodied Hope–A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering by Kelly M. Kapic. I am only two chapters in and have found it to be not only helpful, but practical as well!

It is not a thick book as you might expect. As he says, it is not a book written to answer the “why?” questions as much as it is to answer the “how?” que!stions. But he does talk a bit about why he takes that approach. Very helpful for this person who always wants to know “why?” His comments in this regard were helpful and enlightening! I’m sure I’ll be writing more about this.

So, instead of choosing faith, trust or any of a number of great words for the year, I’m choosing hope! No, not the common English meaning for hope that tends to mean “I hope this will happen.” (50-50 chance that it will) but the Biblical meaning of the word for hope that means it is absolutely certain it is going to happen…as sure as are the promises of GOD!

I often allow doubt to take over my thinking processes despite the fact that I know so much Biblical truth. But how often is that triad found throughout the Bible? Faith, hope and love? It is not an insignificant attribute to develop…or ask GOD to grow in you.

“I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer;
    I stand up, but you merely look at me.
 You turn on me ruthlessly;
    with the might of your hand you attack me.
 You snatch me up and drive me before the wind;
    you toss me about in the storm.
 I know you will bring me down to death,
    to the place appointed for all the living.

 “Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man
    when he cries for help in his distress.
 Have I not wept for those in trouble?
    Has not my soul grieved for the poor?
 Yet when I hoped for good, evil came;
    when I looked for light, then came darkness.
 The churning inside me never stops;
    days of suffering confront me.

Job 30:20-27

In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.

Psalm 25:1-6

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

 Isaiah 40:28-31

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13