Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness. Hoping is knowing that there is love; it is trust in tomorrow; it is falling asleep and waking again when the sun rises. In the midst of a gale at sea, it is to discover land. In the eyes of another, it is to see that he understands you. As long as there is still hope, there will also be prayer. And God will be holding you in his hands.
–Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands, 85.
I so appreciate these words from Henri Nouwen who not only names the truth–there are times when we all feel hopeless–but also invites us to have eyes to see where God is pointing us to hope.
Hope is in the sunrise. Hope is greeting another day. Hope is in the eyes of one who knows and understands us.
It takes practice and focus to see those moments of hope, just like it takes practice and focus to develop any new muscle.
As we’re moving through these weeks of being “Focused on Hope,” I encourage you to work that hope muscle by journaling five minutes a day with our Focused on Hope journal. If you didn’t pick up a journal this past Sunday, you can download a copy from our website or pick one up the next time you’re on campus.
We’re inviting all youth and adults to participate in this journey of focusing on hope, and we want to know if five minutes a day makes a difference.
Would you take a minute to answer this one question survey about how hopeful you are right now?
At the end of the worship series in mid-September, we’ll send another survey link.
I’m grateful to be on this journey with you!
Shalom,
Pastor Mary Beth