Filled With Hope

In this crazy world, is it possible to be filled with hope? If so, how in the world do we find that hope?

Back Story

Part of my backyard has a power right-of-way. Massive power poles hold high-voltage power lines far above our heads. We love the extra land, but so did most of the people in our subdivision. Folks here tend to think “power right-of-way” means “land open to the public.”

After years of watching walkers give way to motor bikes and four wheelers give way to trucks, we decided it was time to fence in the land. The rule was simple. As long as we put in two eight-foot gates on both sides and let the power company come put one of their locks on the gates, we could have the six-foot high fence we wanted.

Over time we made friends with the employees contracted to keep the right-of-way clear so the power lines weren’t endangered. Because our dog had freedom to run, some of the men would call to let us know they were passing through before unlocking the gates.

All worked well for years. Until someone new forgot to include our lock in the chain being used to hold the gates closed. For the chain to work for the company and for us, the two locks had to act as links in the chain, each connected to the other. When one lock was left out, it was useless. We could no longer get in or out of our own gates.

Call For Help

Not happy with being locked out (or in) by our own fence, we called the power company, eventually reaching someone in the area responsible for the contractors working the power right-of-ways. Thankfully the gentleman lived near us and offered to come by on his way home. He had a key that would fit the lock.

When frustrations of life catch us off guard, our usual reaction may not be to thank God for the situation. And yet, our Creator works in ways so foreign to us. Even frustrations are used by Him for our good.

The gentleman arrived, took care of things with his key, and we visited. Because he was local, and because of his job dealing with the power company, he knew about land in our area where building was taking place. Or hoping to take place.

A few years ago, on land near us, a beautiful pick-your-own strawberry patch existed right beside the highway. After years of maintaining the patch, the owners sold the land. We hated to see it go and wondered what would take its place. Sadly, the land sits still, overgrown and with nothing but weeds in place of the beautiful fruit plants once seen there every year.

The power employee knew about this land, and as we discussed the growth in our area, I mentioned this parcel that still was not developed. He knew why.

Power Is Needed

It turns out the buyer of the land didn’t know an important trait about that tract before he bought it. A little below the ground’s surface is a layer of blue granite.

Our power company visitor explained that today’s code in this area requires new power lines to be run underground. The granite was not far enough below the surface for the lines to be installed without moving the granite. But blue granite is so hard, it would take too much power to blast it from its location.

Immediately I had a beautiful visual! Is my heart ever like blue granite? How much power does it take to blast away things displeasing to our Father?

God’s Power Is Sufficient

Thankfully God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us when we say “yes” to His offer of a relationship with Him. And the power of His Spirit is enough to blast away unwanted attitudes that dwell inside. Power we don’t have on our own.

A few months after the blue granite lesson, I was visiting a friend who lives several hours away. Her home backs up to water with a fountain in the middle of the pond. The first night there, I watched the fountain come on at a set time. And immediately I remembered the blue granite story.

God filled my heart with joy as I visualized His Spirit having the power to break through the hardness of my heart and pouring forth with a fountain of joy and peace only He can deliver. Think about it. Maybe it’s heartache. Or lack of faith. Maybe it’s hope we’re missing. But our heavenly Father has the power to break through the hard granite of our being and push a fountain of Holy joy to refresh us and those around us.

Filled With Hope

I don’t know what your world is like today. For all of us, we see the signs of the times. Right is called wrong and wrong is called right. Wars and rumors of wars cover the globe. And we wonder when God will say, “Enough!”

But our Abba’s grace is so abundant He keeps waiting for one more soul, and then one more soul, to come to Him. While He keeps us here, we’re here for His glory. He’s made each of us for this time and place. And He has a purpose for us.

But how do we keep ourselves from having a layer of blue granite under the surface of our heart? How do we keep cynicism at bay? And despair from taking over? Fear and doubt would love to settle in our hearts. How do we fight against such things in this world?

Scripture tells us the Lord Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). His work is finished and for those who are His, He desires to work through us here and now. But He knew just how hard this world was. And is. And He sent His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us (John 14:16). With His power. Not ours.

Recently a verse of Scripture captured my heart. It tells me this is how we keep on keeping on. Filled with hope. By His power.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

God Gives Hope

God is faithful. He tells us not to be afraid. Instead He wants us filled with hope.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

As God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, blasts away the granite of discouragement or despair, fear, anxiety, or any other hard enemy-thrown item that weighs us down, may the power of His Holy Spirit fill us with hope. And as He does, may He shower us and those around us with His joy and peace as He strengthens our faith to believe all He has promised.

Hope Sings

In the last two weeks, our choir has lost two members. We’re rattled but not forlorn, only because we know both of them are with Jesus.

Tonight was our first practice with our friends gone. The reason we still sing is hope.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever 

Hebrews 6:19-20

By God’s grace, may all of us be filled with hope as the Holy Spirit’s power works in us. May His peace and joy overflow as we eagerly wait for Him to accomplish His will in us. One day, we know He will bring us to be with the One Who has gone before us. Until then, our hope sings.

PS Tonight we sang Blessings, by Laura Story. I hope it blesses you as it blesses me.

(Scripture: NKJV; Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, Middleburg, FL, October 5, 2023)