What are you hoping for?
I have been looking ahead at scripture passages for the coming weeks and was struck by one for Sunday the 19th: Romans 8:18-25
“I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.”
It is the last line that caught my ear, “But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.” I wonder what you are hoping for. I encourage you to think about that and to not settle for the simple answers but will listen carefully to your deepest hopes. For example, I hope for this season of COVID 19 to pass and for things to move ahead in a healthy, reasonable way, but as I consider that I am aware there is much more for which I hope. I hope we will come out of this with a renewed commitment to nurturing embracing, inclusive, gracious community. I hope I will see the church find new ways to be Christ’s love at work beyond our walls. I have other hopes, like my hope for children receiving all the support they need to prosper and step into their dreams.
I invite you to look at the hopes you hold and pick one to share with me. Maybe send me a note, or better, send me a brief video. I am not sure how, but I think our shared dreams could be a powerful part of our worship service on July 19. I’d love to receive your input at:
Grace and peace, Tom