A Time for Hope - Advent Devotions 2019
Wednesday, December 4 - Robin Cleaver
Romans 8:24-26 And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.
However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it. In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
What do you hope for?
It was ALiVE 2019, the annual synod middle-school retreat held at Camp Nawakwa and I was blessed to serve as an adult advisor. We were in our first large group session. The question posed to the audience was “What do you hope for?” Answers ranged from “a puppy” to “eternal life”. Hope was the theme and Romans 8:24-26 was the text. The conversation and the kid’s discernment progressed rapidly. ALiVE was a great precursor to Advent – a season of hope.
But, what is hope? The world would tell us it’s a kind of wishy-washy, optimistic desire for something that may or may not happen (think puppy).
The hope of Advent is nothing less than a gift from God. This hope is a confident expectation in the promises of Christ of what is to come. There’s nothing wishy-washy about this hope; this hope is bold. This hope saves (think eternal life).
This hope is also challenging. This hope challenges us to be patient. This hope challenges us to be honest with ourselves and others. This hope challenges us to be our most vulnerable, to open our heart so the love of God fills us to overflowing. This hope challenges us to change and to be the change. Advent is a season of hope. What do you hope for?
God of all hope and promise, be with us throughout this Advent season. Help us be our most vulnerable to you and your will. And, help us to do your will boldly. Amen.
Romans 8:24-26 And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.
However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it. In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
What do you hope for?
It was ALiVE 2019, the annual synod middle-school retreat held at Camp Nawakwa and I was blessed to serve as an adult advisor. We were in our first large group session. The question posed to the audience was “What do you hope for?” Answers ranged from “a puppy” to “eternal life”. Hope was the theme and Romans 8:24-26 was the text. The conversation and the kid’s discernment progressed rapidly. ALiVE was a great precursor to Advent – a season of hope.
But, what is hope? The world would tell us it’s a kind of wishy-washy, optimistic desire for something that may or may not happen (think puppy).
The hope of Advent is nothing less than a gift from God. This hope is a confident expectation in the promises of Christ of what is to come. There’s nothing wishy-washy about this hope; this hope is bold. This hope saves (think eternal life).
This hope is also challenging. This hope challenges us to be patient. This hope challenges us to be honest with ourselves and others. This hope challenges us to be our most vulnerable, to open our heart so the love of God fills us to overflowing. This hope challenges us to change and to be the change. Advent is a season of hope. What do you hope for?
God of all hope and promise, be with us throughout this Advent season. Help us be our most vulnerable to you and your will. And, help us to do your will boldly. Amen.