By Pastor Wes Poole
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. – HELEN KELLER
It’s always something, to know you’ve done the most you could. But, don’t leave off hoping, or it’s of no use doing anything. Hope, hope to the last! – CHARLES DICKENS
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.- MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
Hope itself is like a star — not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. – CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON
Hope is in high demand these days. Frustration is stressing folks past their limits, and we’re seeing some of the results. Violence and discord, always the enemies of hope and harmony, just seem to come into higher relief when times are hard. Right now, it is admittedly difficult. Even with some reopening happening, many of us are still uncertain how much returning to normalcy is even warranted. Should we even venture out at all? Churches particularly are faced with quite the quandary of how to reopen safely, and what worship will look and sound like when we do. These are good questions, and we’ll figure out the answers eventually. For now, as I heard it put so beautifully recently, “God doesn’t need us open church buildings, He needs us to BE the church, right where we are!” I happen to agree..So we’ll continue to live in hope; taking care of each other. God has an infinite amount of hope for us to draw upon. God will lead us through this, and we will be OK.
Let us pray…
God of Hope, during times of trouble, it’s easy to forget who and whose we are. Help us to remember that our hope is founded in nothing less than your love for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus showed us how to live with one another in community. May we always use Christ as our right and example; that we might live through good times and bad with compassion, generosity, and peace. We ask these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Be well, be kind, and be safe, my friends. Hope abounds!!
Blessings always,
Pastor Wes †
Amen!