30 Days of Hopeful: Day 28

Are you feeling weary–lacking in hope today?  For centuries, followers of Christ have recognized that Christmas has a special magic that rekindles hope. My friend Donna encourages us to anticipate the “thrill of hope” that comes our way when we experience surprise blessings from God.

GUEST BLOG: Donna Elyea

Very often I will have a song stuck in my head.  During the Christmas season, that song is often the carol, “O Holy Night,” because my beloved Daddy used to sing that one in our home. As I have been following along with the 30 Days of Hopeful series,  a certain phrase of this carol struck me in a new way and I have been pondering “The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

I have been a bit weary lately. Life can do that to us. And yet, I have known weariness to come and go in the past. What shakes it for me? Usually something unexpected! A new and glorious gift. Unexpected guests come for an extended visit.  An unanticipated ministry opportunity presents itself.  Or I see an answer to a long-time prayer. My relief from weariness usually does not look like the naps I think I need.

For most of us, life can be very much like a roller coaster, full of unexpected twists and turns. Roller coasters are frightening, exciting, jostling, filled with peaks, valleys, and sudden curves. When weariness overtakes me,  I now know that I am simply in a “valley” and I will climb up with renewed energy again. I am not frightened or thrown off track by the unexpected. I look forward to seeing what surprise the Lord may have for me just around the bend.

Many who ride roller coasters find them thrilling. Those who love the thrill ride them over and over again. Life in Christ is also thrilling – because of the thrill of hope. I believe He is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I ask or imagine. The Lord offers a hope that does not disappoint. Hope that does not end. Concrete hope, not the mere stuff of feelings. This hope is fueled by faith in the One who knows us intimately and longs to give us abundant life and fill us with an everlasting hope in relationship with Him. What a thrill “ride.”

“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3:20).