Speak Hope

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Hope.  Such a little word.  Such a weighty word.  Such a needed word.

And when it's most needed it seems the most elusive.

Hope gives strength, but to have hope where there is no hope requires strength to spark hope into being.  

Hope allows a person to persevere, but to keep hope alive requires perseverance.

Hope.  It's only one syllable and four letters (at least in English :) ).  But it carries the power to uplift, to encourage, to revitalize, to give meaning, purpose and motivation.  A small and mighty word.

Rather than going on musing or philosophizing, I shall give a free write poem a try, because sometimes poetry is more satisfying than prose.  And I am feeling poeticky.  (Yes, I am aware that "poetic" or "poetical" are the correct words but it's more fun to make up words and I am in the mood to make up words.  So "poeticky" it stays.)  

"Speak Hope"

God of Hope
You say You are
But God, oh my God,
Hope seems so far

Hope is what I want
Hope is what I seek
But despair is lurking
And fear won't leave

The waters rise
as I try to breathe
Lord, don't let me drown
Lord, rescue me!

Where is the God of hope?
Where is the God who saves?
Everywhere I turn
all I see are stormy waves

But then a voice,
I hear a voice pass by
"My child, my child,
don't trade truth for a lie

The truth has not changed
I am still Master of storms
I am still a Promise Keeper
And I hold you in my arms 

You still have a future
You still have a hope
You will still reap a harvest
for desires you have sowed

I started something beautiful,
something beautiful in you
And I finish what I start
Remember this truth 

So speak out, child,
with the authority I gave you
Rise up, child,
with the power I gave you

And know this:
I am with you,
I am for you,
I am all around you."

So with my next breath
I speak hope
I speak the promises,
the promises God has told

I keep speaking life
and the storm subsides
And up, up I rise
to walk by my Savior's side.

That was mostly unedited.  Mostly free write.  And that basically sums up my conversations with God lately.  In the most "poeticky" way.  (Yes.  I just used my made up word again.  Because I am still in that kind of mood.)  

The stories of Jesus stilling the storm and of Jesus walking on the water are two of my favorite go to scriptures to hold on to (Matt 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 for calming the storm; and Matt 14:22-32, Mark 6:45-51, John 6:16-21 for walking on water).  Both stories paint such a vivid picture of what life can feel like and demonstrate the authority of God over circumstances regardless of appearances.  And the really amazing thing is that as a Christian, with the power of the Holy Spirit, I have the same authority!  Though outward circumstances might not immediately change, if I press into the comfort of God's presence and truth, and agree with what He says, I can have "peace that surpasses understanding" (Phil 4:6-7) and "fullness of joy"  (Psalm 16:11).  And I can trust that God is working on my behalf (Romans 8:28, Psalm 138:8, Phil 1:6).  And as I continue holding onto God and His truth in the waiting, He is forming endurance and character in me, which leads to hope (Romans 5:1-5)!  

So the same circumstances that cause me to lose hope can have the opposite effect if I switch my focus to God, in which case those circumstances are an opportunity to let hope arise in me. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.~Romans 15:13

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