Finding Hope

Welcome to Hope--hands from opposite sides holding the word hope, sunset in background

Hope. I want it. I search for it. I try to hold onto it when I find it. During Christmas, I sing, teach, greet, write, and listen to pastors speak words of hope. Yet, in reality, finding hope has proven elusive from the beginning of time.

Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were driven from the Garden of Eden. Cain killed Abel and God banished him from his homeland. Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. The Hebrew people endured years of Egyptian bondage. Old Testament prophets warned God’s people time after time about their unfaithfulness to the one and only holy God.

Searching for Hope

Welcome to Hope--young man sitting against a brick wall with knees up and head in folded armsIf I read, watch, or listen to current news, the world remains devoid of hope. People destroy one another with whatever weapons they possess, including hate-filled words. Disease, disaster, death, political unrest, and economic upheaval cross our screens in an endless litany of woe. Children live in homes lacking direction, filled instead with addiction, pain, hunger, and distress. People of every age suffer abuse from both strangers and caregivers. Persecution of Christians results in demolished homes and churches, imprisonment, and death.

Hatred, prejudice, greed, and a me-first attitude dominate the pages of history.

Finding the Source of Hope

Do I throw up my hands in defeat? If not, how do I fight this never-ending battle against evil? Where do I find hope, and how do I offer hope to a world in despair?

Welcome to Hope--wood carved manger sceneIf I look within, I find no hope. If I trust those in authority, they eventually let me down. Instead, my hope first appeared in the most unexpected way and place—a baby in a feeding trough in the small town of Bethlehem. In Jesus I find the hope I so desperately desire. Jesus left His home in heaven and entered earth’s turmoil as an infant to provide hope for the world—the only genuine hope that lasts. His gift remains available to all who turn to Him in repentance and faith, including abusers, drug users, murderers, and persecutors. Romans 5:8 (NIV) reminds me “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This is not the end. Through every difficulty and every trial, I remember Romans 12:12 (NIV), “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” God gives me the strength I need when I need it for my present suffering, and He promises eternity with Him in heaven when I step from this life. Therefore, as Micah 7:7 (NIV) declares, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me”.

Sharing Hope

Welcome to Hope--rustic welcome sign among plant with white flowersSeveral years ago, as my church’s youth mission team approached its destination, a sign greeted them, “Welcome to Hope.” What a fitting reminder to share the message of hope made possible by the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas offers a perfect opportunity, after finding hope, to share that hope with others. When entertaining friends, especially international university students who have never heard the true Christmas story, I explain the symbolism of our decorations to help them understand who Jesus is and why He came. I invite overnight visitors to join our evening devotion as we read the Luke 2 Bible account of Jesus’ birth. In spite of all that’s wrong in the world today, I want them to know the holy child of Bethlehem holds out hope for all who accept His incomparable gift.

This Christmas and always, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Diana Derringer

Diana Derringer is an award-winning writer and author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! Her articles, devotions, dramas, planning guides, Bible studies, and poems have been accepted more than 1,200 times by 70-plus publications, including several anthologies. In addition, Diana writes radio dramas and question-and-answer television programs for Christ to the World Ministries. Her adventures as a social worker, adjunct professor, youth Sunday school teacher, friendship family for international university students, and caregiver for her husband supply a constant flow of writing ideas. For a free copy of Diana’s “Words of Hope for Days That Hurt” and her weekly Words, Wit, and Wisdom: Life Lessons from English Expressions, join her mailing list at https://dianaderringer.com.

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