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As you drive along
mountain roads you can see signs that say,‘Beware of falling rocks!’ Good advice, but
how do we put that into practice? If we saw some falling rocks, should we
immediately stop the car and perhaps cause an accident? Or should we speed up
and try not to be a target? Or should we just “watch and pray” and trust God to
keep the rocks from falling?
The rocks didn’t
come, but the fires did and we couldn’t see them coming or stop them from
coming. The
Black Forest has burned over 14,000 acres and over 500 home have been lost. The
fire has triggered a lot of sad memories for those of us impacted from last
year’s Waldo Canyon fire.
Over 850 homes have been totally destroyed
in the Colorado Springs area in the last year. It’s one thing to be hear about deep losses, but firsthand experience
is quite another. Most of us have experienced some form of loss, but how do we
respond to it? How do we find hope?
The grieving and
healing process takes time and people process their disappointment and sadness
in different ways. This last year I’ve seen traumatic heart breaking losses
with friends who lost everything they own and their loved ones. In the news there’s
amazing life changing stories from the victims of the fire and how 1st
responders have saved lives and property. We hear stories from hopeful
resilient people desiring to rebuild their lives, homes, neighborhoods and process
together as communities.
For many their hope
comes from their faith. How is it possible to experience abounding joy when
we’re in the valley of despair? As the apostle Paul said we can experience
hope from the Word of God. For everything that was written in the past was written to
teach us, so that through the
endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might
have hope. Romans 15:4 Here are a few encouraging
examples.
In the midst of his deep disappointment
over the destruction of his homeland Nehemiah experienced real abiding hope and
joy. Although distraught with the utter mess of his beloved homeland, upon his
return he said, “The sound of rejoicing
in Jerusalem could be heard from far away and the joy of the Lord is our
strength” Neh.12:43; 8:10.
Though we may be hurting
and numb hope is indeed possible during our anger, tears, disappointment and
fears.
Though Nehemiah’s book opens with ‘great trouble’ he closes with ‘great joy’ because
their great God allowed them to rebuild the walls of his beloved Jerusalem.
When the Hebrews returned to their home in Israel after seventy years of their
humiliating Babylonian exile they were able to express their deep joy despite
their circumstances.
“When
the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were
filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it
was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy…. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.”Psalm 126:1-3, 5-6
The rocks fell on
Job.
He suffered as few have suffered. In one day, all his great wealth was taken
from him and his ten children died. Then he was afflicted with sores from head
to foot, painful sores that disfigured him grossly and kept him awake at night.
He left his home and sat outside the town on the ash heap where the trash was
collected.
There he mourned
and meditated, talked with some friends,
and waited for the Lord to help him. Things couldn’t get much worse for and
after Job lost everything He was still able to express his hope.
”I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27
”I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27
During a time of Israel’s worsening
condition Isaiah echoed this same hope to Israel with application for us by
reminding them of God’s unending presence and love.
Though the mountains be
shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Though a parent may forget you, I will not forget you.
Isaiah 54:10:49:15
Isaiah 54:10:49:15
It is possible to
experience hope in the midst of severe disappointment and loss and with that
hope a grateful heart. Gratitude goes against our need to feel in control of
our environment. Sometimes with gratitude we just need to accept life as it is
and be grateful for what we have.
Living with a
grateful heart is good, but it’s even better if it causes you to go out and
help others because of it. May God help us to help others by sharing the hope we
have in Christ. Please share your comments.
Sharing Hope,
