I can’t speak to where you find yourself as you enter into this holiday season, but I am very aware of where I find myself. I am broken. I am hurting. I am grieving. I am tired.
What do I need? What can fill the hurt and grief? What can keep my heart where God desires it to be? Hope. If I can keep my eyes, my heart, and my mind locked on God and His provision, I will be able to find hope. Real hope. Eternal hope. Hope for today and hope for the future. I need to know that this is not my permanent reality. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a plan. There is a future. And not just any old future! God has constructed a future where we specifically fit into His design. I’m not there yet – but God’s plan already exists! He already sees how the puzzle pieces of my life fit into His plan – His perfect picture.
I need hope.
God sees me. God is very aware of my situation and state of mind. He is completely aware of the circumstances that I find myself in. He knows my need for hope.
So I find myself entering into this holiday season feeling heavy-hearted. Discouraged. Beat up. Waiting for God to reveal the next steps. Waiting for God to show me the next piece of His plan for me.
And while I wait, I read the Word of God. I am reminded – encouraged – that in the midst of a time of discouragement and darkness – God sent the Light of the World. Jesus – Immanuel – God with us – came for me. He came to walk among us. To share in our hurt – even taking our burdens upon himself! He came to heal. He came to forgive. He came to make injustices right. He came to restore. He came to speak truth. He came and with him came hope.
“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)
I know where my hope comes from. My hope comes from the LORD.
So LORD, move. Move in my heart, and in my circumstances. Open my eyes to see your presence and your hand at work around me. LORD, you neither forsake me or abandon me. Help me not to lose sight of your goodness. Your faithfulness. You have always been and you will always be the LORD of all creation. I invite you again, LORD, to reign in my life. You lead. You direct. You take control. I know you have a plan for me – you say it – and in you is nothing but truth. Help me to find rest in your arms and trust your plan even when it doesn’t make any sense to me. Even when doubt would creep in. LORD, speaking of doubt – wherever there is any doubt about You – your goodness, your faithfulness, your love – silence it. Make me deaf to the lies of the world and to the deceiver – but grant me ears that hear and recognize your voice. I love your voice. I love it when you speak to me. Please don’t hide yourself from me. LORD, it is hard for me to trust when I am hurting. Yet you call me to trust You. Help me to remember that You are my strength. You will provide all I need. You and You alone. Forgive me for doubting. Forgive me for questioning. Forgive me for my impatience.
While I wait – strengthen my heart for You. Strengthen my passion for You. Open my eyes to your hope. The eternal hope that You have provided for me. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for your love. Thank You for your kindness and mercy. Thank You for including me in your family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings!