Hope Unlimited

Eunice Steinhardt is a member at Arise, Springfield. Her contribution this week was born out of her experiences along the journey of faith, and is grounded in Scripture. Eunice was inspired to write about hope in response to the Reflections on Hope video which was recently produced as part of the LCANZ Way Forward Project.

HOPE UNLIMITED

You are my sure HOPE – the Rock on which you build Your church.

I am glad of the HOPE you have placed in my heart – the means by which I am enabled to be a fool for Christ’s sake!

HOPE is – the Anchor of my soul in God.

In my deep sorrow You comforted me. HOPE is Your name O Christ.

HOPE is – the Comforter in my distress – the Presence of our Trinitarian God woven intimately into the fabric of my life through – heartache, despair, anxiety, fear, shame, guilt, desolation, consolation, aloneness, calamity, deep joy.

HOPE is – the joy that springs afresh every morning reminding me of my Life-giving God. This HOPE is the impetus that all will be well – my life our lives are in His hands.

HOPE is – God Himself at work in my life and the life of the church. HOPE can be diminished if I get in the way.

HOPE is – the Living CHRIST among us, with me, when the chips are down and I know I can do nothing.

HOPE is – the Person who is Light when I experience the dark. Light to Light within and beyond.

HOPE is – Knowing God is enough in every circumstance granting strength in my weakness.

HOPE is – being held by the One who will never let us go.

HOPE is – the granting of courage through the overcoming One even when I fear.

HOPE is – the essential for perseverance in great adversity.

HOPE is – the grounding of my heart in my Beloved Lord who sent JESUS and THUS His Spirit that I can know Him more and more.

HOPE is – the One who is nearer than all others when dear humans aren’t able to be around.

HOPE is – the gift of discipleship in Christ Jesus.

HOPE is – bringing our cries to God.

HOPE is OK with acknowledging our sinfulness and coming empty-handed to the God who is merciful!

HOPE is – glad when my blindness is exposed.

HOPE is – ready to deepen our trust.

HOPE is – a living breathing pulsating with life reality.

HOPE is – the extension of faith lived among us.

HOPE is – an invitation to become more than we can ever imagine, and requires stepping into the deeper water.

HOPE is – given a chance when we humble ourselves before a mighty God.

HOPE is – that which seeks to settle our inner and outer warfare through submission to our Holy God and His ways.

HOPE DOES:           

HOPE – shows me a new way when the old has done its job.

HOPE – is always looking toward the new life in our everyday and forever.

HOPE – IS FOUND IN God and in His word, in our private and shared worship, when taken by Spirit into my heart and life and when two or three gather the church is profoundly enriched.

HOPE – is at work in the brokenness of our own lives as we experience the Presence of our loving God.

HOPE – comes when the person whom the Spirit sends holds me and loves me in the reality of the now.

HOPE – comes when we behold ‘the Christ’.

HOPE – runs headlong into the cross and the empty tomb.

HOPE – knows Jesus went ahead and sent His Spirit to live within us.

HOPE – knows when our lack must be let go and given to our Almighty God, the Prince of Peace.

We find HOPE – on our knees.

HOPE COMES – when we know we are free to become whom He made us to be. HOPE continues when we offer the same freedom to others.

HOPE – opens the door to God’s heart.

HOPE – ablaze ignites new beginnings.

HOPE – prompts us to try again.

HOPE – says transformation is going together with God.

Eunice Steinhardt (2024)