Fields United Methodist Church

Day 11.   Take Time to Be Holy

“For by hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”  Romans 8:24-25

Daily updates; new directives; peaks, curves, social distance, self-quarantining.  These terms are now part of our daily lives, which have changed quite dramatically in the past few weeks. We hope for an end to the pandemic and the toll is taking on lives, families, friends, and institutions. Hope is an anticipation of something changing or obtaining something that we do not already have; hope looks forward. When hope is wrapped with faith in Jesus, though Jesus may not be readily seen, we are patient knowing that God will offer a new day, and new beginnings through living a life of loving God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength as we love our neighbor as ourselves. One of my favorite stores is Home Depot; the smell of wood and the look of new and different tools is just intoxicating to me! Seeing new types of electrical switches not to mention appliances really spark my interest. As I was walking through the lumber department someone who must have known I was a pastor asked me what God looked like. I said “I have no clue but I know someday I will know, and it will be good.”  “So,” the person said, “you hope for something you cannot see?”  Yes, yes I do. I do not know what tomorrow will bring and our present environment testifies to that fact. Yet I know that when the end comes, whether it is the pandemic, the semester, full time career, or my life it will be ok because my faith is all about knowing God loves too much to ever let me go. So it is with hope in Christ; not sure what that totally looks like, but by faith there is assurance that it is good, very good, for we “hope for what we do not see.” It is such a hope that sees blue sky even on a cloudy day; celebrates in the day’s blessings and know there is more to come and it will be good! It is hope that seeks answers and affirms that no matter the challenges of the day, the “Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26) Hope in Jesus will never disappoint.

What do you hope for more than anything else in the world?

How does hope in Jesus give you a fresh perspective on life today!

How are you taking time to be holy today?

Prayer:  Gracious God, your love for us will never let us go. Help us to offer hope to those whose lives are challenged this day; a hope that will see them through. Amen