In the world we talk about “resources”: assets that we have available to us to produce the work or materials we need to survive and thrive as a society. We think of “resources” as tangible things. Measurable. Able to be stockpiled and distributed.

 

I have found in decades of walking a faith path with Jesus, that His supply of resources is at once boundless and absolutely necessary for the sustaining of life. The supply of the Spirit Paul calls it in the book of Philippians. Activated by prayer. Received by faith. Released by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

One part of the release of the Spirit that is most necessary is HOPE. For it is by hope, that spark, that flick of a switch from darkness to light, that ignites all the other resources to flow in our hearts.

 

What kind of hope allows us to walk in joy when we have been given bad news? To walk in love when we have been terribly wronged by people we have trusted? To walk in peace when the world around us is falling apart? What kind of hope? RADICAL HOPE. Hope that joins itself to our faith and passes our understanding, guarding our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Hope that believes despite the circumstances. Hope remembers all the times past when our world was crumbling, and Jesus walked in and made it better.

 

Hope turns our eyes away from all that is crushing our spirits, and pulls our eyes toward the ONE who can turn our sorrow into joy, and our dark night into a brighter day. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for the future. Hope that our lives have a purpose stronger than this dark hallway holds, and that soon we will enter a new and better space.

 

During one particularly dark time of loss and duress, I was so low, SO low. I was in a room filled with young people who were worshipping with all their hearts. I was singing but my heart was not engaged. I heard the Lord, “Debbie, do not worship at the altar of your disappointment.” Immediately I was struck by the truth of those words. I wept, asked for His forgiveness, and began to sing and worship will all my heart. Because He was good and I knew He loved me. I felt the darkness lift. Light flooded my soul. And in that difficult and transitional season I knew that I knew that Jesus was right there beside me. As He ever was. I had received from Him Radical Hope. You can, too.

 

~ Debbie Ecker