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Like many people, I spent the last few days trying to assimilate the rapidly-evolving directives regarding Covid19. One day it seemed enough to simply practice good hygiene and stock the larder, so I got on a plane to my next speaking engagement. Within hours of my arrival the picture had changed. Schools were shutting down, flights were cancelled, large gatherings were banned. Needless to say, the event was cancelled and I spent another day negotiating new flights and braving airports while wondering if I should be driving instead … trying to touch nothing, especially my face … fleeing an enemy that can’t be seen.
Through it all, Romans 15:13 came repeatedly to mind:
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.
Things may well get worse before they get better. Already I know people who have lost work and have no reserves to hold them through; people stranded overseas; people who had to close up shop and wonder if and when they’ll reopen. Soon, no doubt, I’ll know people who get sick. Who maybe don’t recover. Perhaps one of those people will be me or someone I love. But God ….
Our God is nothing if not “the God of hope” as St. Paul called him in that verse I can’t shake. What does that mean, to be “the God of” something … “the GOD of hope”?
- Hope comes from God. He’s in charge of hope.
- God is where we go for hope, and true hope comes from nowhere (and no one) else.
- Our God is the reason we have hope at all.
Not only that, we can “abound” in hope. God is not stingy with his gifts. He doesn’t just pour a little on to ease the fear, he can fill us up to the point that we abound in hope. Abounding hope is not just adequate for our need, it pours out to others.
So what’s the catch? Well, not a catch exactly, but we do have a part to play. We can’t manufacture hope ourselves, but the Holy Spirit pours it into those who believe. Faith in God – in who he is, and in what he has done, and in all he has promised us – opens us up to receive that “peace that passes understanding” and the supernatural joy that allows us to face trials with … you guessed it: HOPE. (See Philippians 4:7, John 14:27, and James 1:2 for more on this.)
We Christians should be the most hope-filled and joy-filled people around. Why? Because we have the ultimate reason for hope. A Christian without hope has forgotten that Jesus overcame death and is walking with us toward eternal blessing and joy.
Maybe it’s no coincidence that the impact of coronavirus is first hitting us during Lent. Let’s take advantage of the forced isolation to spend time with the Lord. To ask him to renew our appreciation of his Sacrifice and all it means for us now, as we live our lives in a world where so much is uncertain and tends toward chaos and death. Let us enter his desert and turn our thirsty hearts to him to be filled.
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 — and so that in abounding, your hope will overflow to the hopeless around you.
Grace and peace,
Sarah.
© 2020 Sarah Christmyer
Related posts:
- Faith and the “Rope of Hope”
- Wisdom from James: “Count it all Joy”
- It’s Your Choice to Rejoice
- Trust God, the Divine Artist
- The Who, What, When, Where, & Why of Powerful Prayer
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Just REMEMBERING this is an INNOCULATION for fear! Thank you!
So many elderly persons are afraid of becoming infected with the dreaded virus while they are living under quarantine in nursing and assisted living homes.
Suddenly this week prohibitions in retirement homes turn away visits from family, worship in the chapel ,or even eating together in the dining room . Fear of epidemic separates them from the world, that it seems that all comfort has gone from life.
If we who believe God fills us with hope to overflowing, how can we keep this to ourselves? We must not.
During Lent we can copy this message and deliver it in hand to those persons who are struggling in loneliness without hope. It could even be read over the telephone to someone who is homebound or bedfast . The overflow of hope we have received could be shared with someone who has grown weary and fallen away from the faith. I could hardly wait to share this starting today! Thank you.
Hi Sarah. Great to hear from you and thank you for your post with its vulnerability and strength. It is just what I needed especially from a God fearing friend like you. One month ago I suffered an optic nerve stroke and lost vision in both eyes. Three days and nights in ICU followed. Praise God much of my sight has returned accept for the left peripheral bottom vision. The recovery has been slow but I get stronger each day. They do not know the cause and this worries me a bit especially given the current situation and the fear of hospitals right now. I must continue to face this fear, trust in God and my Doctors for I must continue to go, have tests and decipher what the heck is going on. The beautiful thing is God’s presence through it all, the peace and certitude of heaven I feel and have seen. The ways God invites me to relax and be peaceful even if it is my “time”. Facing my eternity and current vulnerabilities all I feel is peace and this is an amazing grace. Like a baby in utero, our passing to the next life will be shortly painful and unknown but Oh so beautiful once we get there. I keep you and your family in my prayers right now! Peace my sister in Christ and stay safe, steadfast, and true. Keep your voice too for we need hope filled messages from true spiritual leaders at this time. God bless!
I watched your testimony on EWTN “The Journey Home” last night. Thank you for sharing your story and your walk through life to reach the spiritual place you’re in now. I need encouragement daily to continue my journey, my closer walk with Christ. I also ordered your book “Becoming Women of the Word” on my e-reader and looking forward to reading it. God Bless.
Thank you, May. You are welcome! May God comfort and encourage you, and give you the grace you need on your own journey. Blessings!
Hi Sarah, I, too, met you on The Journey Home (twice viewed). The richness of your faith is inspiring. I have been Catholic my entire life, but have never read the Bible! I hope I will understand more and grow into a deeper relationship with God through your work.
Blessings, Karen