Eternal Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty
Celebrating Advent Season with Connect Global
This Advent season we are so glad to join you and your family as we collectively celebrate with anticipation the reason for this season. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “a coming, approach, arrival.” This arrival we are talking about is the historical and biblical account of the arrival of Jesus.
When we are anticipating the arrival of guests at our home, whether, they be family, friends, or even someone we are just getting to know for the first time we often have a regiment of to do it’s that must be done. Maybe, clean the floors and dust the tv cabinet, make sure the sofa pillows ar karate chopped just right, and perhaps we wipe down the counters and light candles to set the mood.
With advent it is the same. We are in anticipation of the arrival of a very important figure. Someone who was talked about for centuries, someone of whom an entire people group hoped would come in order to make real the stories that were told.
This first week of Advent we encourage you to meditate on the word Hope. The christian definition of Hope can be found a few different places in the Bible, It is rooted in trust in God's character and faithfulness.
One key passage that defines hope is found in the New Testament:
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
—Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
This verse emphasizes the inseparable relationship between faith and hope. It asserts that faith gives substance and reality to our hopes, even when we can't physically see the fulfillment of God's promises.
Furthermore, throughout the Bible, hope is often associated with God's promises for the future, the arrival, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the ultimate restoration of all things. Hope is a foundational aspect of Christian faith, as it sustains believers through trials and challenges, reminding us all of the eternal glory that awaits.
It is of great importance to cultivate Hope especially in challenging times
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.—Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Things in life can be hard. Our outlook is not always bright. Maybe consequences of our own choices or the results of the actins of those around us lead to a place of hopelessness. The prophet Isaiah knew that people would see their circumstances and try to turn their face away from the Hope that had carried them through previous hardships. When we were younger maybe things seemed like a piece of cake or even if we had it hard we thought “this can’t last forever” just wait until we get older things will work out. Then a job loss or restructuring leads to loss in income, or the marriage we always hoped for turned sour. We can grow weary and tired of these hardships but the strength is found in having courage and hope in spite of the world around us.
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul." —Emily Dickinson
Hope perches within our soul when there is peace. Not peace that the world can bring which is fickle and fleeting but peace that can only be found in Jesus. As we strive for peace, hope will follow. We can rest and be assured that our future will still be bright in light of present challenges.
I have experienced hopelessness. I have been down and out and felt alone. There is nothing in this world that can rescue me or reassure me once I am in this cycle. I have experienced two pretty profound losses in my life. They happened back to back seemingly. One was a best friend I had from school whose life ended suddenly and tragically. The second was when I lost my father in November 2020, just 3 years ago. Both of these losses impacted me to my core, and for somewhat different reasons.
The loss of my friend reminded me immediately of the opportunities we pass up daily to celebrate or even reach out to those we care about. It also gave me a quick sense of my own mortality since we are only a couple of months difference in age. He was always the life and energy of every room he was in, and working his career in hospitality lended towards his keen sense of situational awareness and care for others. The last time I saw him was not under great circumstances and in fact I had not been a good friend in many ways both leading up to and that last night.
When I lost my dad 5 months later I was already a wreck and emotionally drained and heartbroken. His loss was little more drawn out and while we were able to see him in the hospital before he passed, it was the glaring awareness of future pain, and grief that would strangle me upon his passing. It was an acute understanding that I, as a ma, in some ways was going to have to tread the rest of the road alone. Relying on the wisdom and care showed in the first half of my life and employing it to survive the second half.
I regained hope slowly and methodically. Not because of any oe thing or word. But because of a measure of sweet cards, calls, text messages, and other reminders that I was in fact not alone and would be able to navigate forward with the small light of Hope that was growing day by day.
Hope is not gained overnight, it is a journey. It is a path that is often unknown and strange to us. It is dimly lit and draws us to itself. Hope is the one key to unlocking the true gift of this season. Share your hope with someone else today because you never know how low they are. Like a car running out of gas we can only glide and sputter along so far before we need to refuel. I hope you will take time this season to fill up on hope.
Connect Global, Inc is a non-profit organization in good standing and registered in the state of Florida, we hold ministerial covering through The Fellowship Network and MAJC. We provide sustainable solutions addressing poverty, food scarcity, access to education, and maternal & newborn healthcare.
