Reason to Hope

 

This is the last day of 2021. I have been close to tears off and on all day. My mind and heart carry me back over the last year and the one before that. I'm glad to say goodbye to 2021. It's been a year of sorrows for so many. I grieve for all who have lost loved ones. And for those who lost their businesses or who had to move or lost their job or their health. And I grieve for the loss of trust ... in our leadership and in one another.

I've had trouble thinking about what I might say in this message. I want to offer encouragement and hope, but I am waiting for the words. They do not come easily. The last many months have revealed much of the evil that is embraced in this world. I am sickened by it. But there is a battle going on. It rages - good against evil.

I've known about this ongoing battle, scripture tells us about it. But I hadn't seen it clearly. Too often I walked through life as if I were blind. I didn't understand that I didn't want to know the whole truth, and I won't know it all until I'm swept off this planet to my eternity. But my eyes are being opened a bit more every day. I have much to learn. I pray to the Almighty God each day, asking that He reveal truth to me and that He will bless me with wisdom and discernment so I will do what is right ... not what is easy. 

I apologize for sounding like I'm feeling hopeless. I am not, but I am a realist. I believe in looking a problem straight in the eye and then doing what must be done. 

It is clear our world is a mess, full of sin and hate and terrible evil. We will all see one day. But there is so much more than that in this life. There is astounding beauty and love and kindnesses shown to one another. And there is The Father's love. 

How precious we are to Him. He created each of us unique and special. We can be a gift to one another if only we will embrace our uniqueness and share the love of our Father.  If we do this simple thing, we can change the world. 

We always have reason to hope for "He who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world."

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Every year I choose a word for the year. This year my word is HOPE. What is yours?

Reconciled

 

As part of my Bible study this morning I contemplated these verses from 2 Corinthians 6:18 - 21.

     "All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, Be reconciled to God! For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

What a beautiful, eternity altering, gift. 

I challenge you to personalize these verses and read it aloud. I don't know about you, but when I did this part of today's lesson the words came alive, and I was strongly reminded of the mission given to me by God. 

Here is what I did:

    "All this newness of life is from God, who brought me back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given me the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting my sins against me. This is the wonderful message he has given me to tell others. I am Christ's ambassador, and God is using me to speak to you. I urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, Be reconciled to God! For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for my sin, so that I could be made right with God through Christ."

Try this. You can also use your name if you like. You're going to love it. 

We ignore God at our own peril. When He calls us, he has a purpose in mind. Oh yes, he loves us and wants us reconciled to himself, but he also has much for us to do. And stepping forward with purpose makes life sweeter.

So, how do we know what our mission is? Likely it is missions, plural. 

Ask God. He doesn't want to keep it a secret. He'll show you.

He is waiting to hear from us and to reach out to us and to our contrite hearts. There are beautiful days ahead, never doubt it.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

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