Day One | Anchored in Hope | Hebrews 6:17-20a (NLT)
God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:17-20a (NLT)
For Reflection:
A tense situation. An awkward conversation. A conflict with someone you care about. Others arguing with one another. The moment you discover you made a mistake. Where to turn? How to steady yourself again?
Any of these unexpected situations can throw us. When this happens, do we remain steady as we continue along? Or do we tend to be thrown off—swept into the current and chaos…sideswiped? Maybe sometimes even take ourselves out of action (for a time)? Or do we continue forward, focused. Not unaffected—but at peace, unswerving yet still bendable – like a tree that moves in the wind without snapping and returns upright. I think of Jesus in the boat amid the storm… winds raging, disciples panicking… He simply wakes up (on demand!), rebukes the storm, and continues the journey, teaching as they go (Luke 8:22-25; Mark 4:35-40).
As you consider these or other circumstances that bring angst to your days, life… reflect on this: What is the first thing you think of… or instinctively do when things press in? A place to go… looking to something that brings comfort, helps us feel better in the moment (or look forward to…) or to avoid or escape?
The Bible calls these things or places “strongholds:” where we go for refuge, to feel secure.
As you read our passage, did you notice these words: “we who have fled to him for refuge"?! Do you see the invitation? If we skip over these words to land on to the wonderful promise of great confidence holding to hope… we end up focusing on our holding (or efforts) and fly past the picture of Jesus lovingly holding us (His mercy and grace, freely given)! We don’t want to miss the invitation to first reflect and recognize where we instinctively turn for refuge… and ponder Him as our strong and trustworthy, sure and steadfast (ESV) anchor for our souls… His promise that will not, cannot change.
Where is my hope? Where is yours? As we strive in our strength to hold on to hope, we risk missing the better part… Jesus holds us! We hold to Him as we are securely held. Can you picture that?
Jesus invites us to find safety and anchor in Him. To allow ourselves to be held by our strong, sovereign, loving, powerful Savior, as the winds and waves of life push against us… letting Him steady us: our hearts, minds… thoughts…words…actions, emotions. An anchor for our soul.
Anchoring in hope—firmly in Jesus—looks like Jesus in the storm: steady, present, at peace, bringing His calm to those around Him, and pointing toward faith as the source for peace.
Let us pray:
Lord, you are holy, faithful, and true to your promises! You don’t change your mind! Thank you for being steadfast, that you never change—that you offer us a firm foundation, a trustworthy anchor for our soul, our lives. Much in our world sometimes feels in constant flux, shifting to and fro. Thank you for your word, your promise, that assures us you are steady and invites us to flee to YOU for refuge – in life’s storms and in every day. Lord, help me to see other places I sometimes run or hide to feel safe and help me to turn instead to you, holding to the hope that lies before us in and through You! To anchor my hope and heart securely in You and to trust you are strong; you are present; and that you are holding me no matter what comes my way. Help increase my awareness when I begin to shift my anchor from you. You are a good, good God. My loving Savior. Help me to believe your word and to trust you who goes before us and is with us every step, every breath. I love you. In your holy, strong, steadfast name I pray. Amen.
I wonder what it would be like to remain tethered to Jesus in such a way that my first response is to check my anchor?
If I look now, what (or who) is my hope anchored in?
Day 2 | Anchored In Hope | Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30(ESV)
For Reflection:
We all have burdens and trials. It’s all part of being human. Sometimes they are burdens we choose to take on, and other times these trials are thrust upon us whether we choose to accept or not. “Facticity” represents the limitations and conditions that are imposed on individuals rather than chosen. Kate Bowler, in her devotional, “Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!” explains, “All of our freedoms are constrained by so many unchangeable details.” The philosopher, Martin Heideggar refers to this existential state as the “thrownness” of human life. Bowler continues, “As we awake to the suffering of this world and our existence, we find ourselves hurtling through time. We reach out for something, anything, to steady us, but we are like astronauts untethered. That is a particular kind of grief – the awareness that we are not drivers of our circumstances, not anymore. We are unwilling passengers.”
But what if we were willing to be carried? I pause and wonder in what ways I’ve been and continue to be an unwilling passenger in my life. An unexpected injury or illness? A particularly trying time in my family? As I ponder these things, I’m reminded of the community that consistently came and continues to come around me in the midst of those uncontrollable circumstances; in the midst of the “facticity”. I remember too when I was able to reciprocate and do the same for others, and I’m struck with the realization that us humans are uniquely united by the commonality of our fragility.
And when we are all fragile together, what then? Who will carry us through these times? I think of the image of a shepherd carrying his sheep and am reminded of the analogy of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, carrying us. “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11. I picture myself relinquishing control, no longer an unwilling passenger, but instead a willing one. Jesus carrying his sheep through the rocky valleys; carrying me through the storms.
Let us pray:
God, I pray that you allow me to recognize the places in my life that I'm clinging to and being an unwilling passenger. Allow me to release hold and instead anchor myself in you, trusting you will carry me to safety as you so tenderly carried the sheep. I pray that as I navigate through trials, I would keep anchored in the hope that you have a plan and hold my tether secure. Amen.
In what ways are you an unwilling passenger in life right now?
What might it look like if you were willing to be carried?
Day 3 | Anchored In Hope | Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
For Reflection:
We live in a time of unprecedented information. Every day we are bombarded. Advertisements encourage us to be perpetually dissatisfied with our current state so we will be enticed to purchase that new something (that will surely make us complete!). Our culture often seems to delight in judging everyone and everything, creating feelings of insecurity. Our news feed can flood us with more trauma than the human mind and emotions were meant to process at one time. In this environment, it can be all too easy to grow cynical, and quickly find things to complain about. Focusing on the noise and brokenness of the world can cause worry to become a habit.
But as Christians, we have been shown a better way. Yes, we could easily default to the negative. Or, we can choose to practice thinking as these verses remind us in Philippians. It doesn’t mean being in denial about difficulties. Jesus tells us that we will have troubles in this world, but also promises that He has overcome it. Tim Mackie of the Bible Project says: “Peace comes from focusing your thoughts on what is good, true, and lovely. There’s always something that we could complain about, but as followers of Jesus, we know that all of life is a gift, and can choose to see beauty and grace in any life circumstance.”
Whether we are in a season of plenty, or not, we are reminded here that it is possible, and a gift, to fix our thoughts on better things. As Romans 12:2 says, we can “be transformed by the renewing of our mind, allowing God's peace to fill us”.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, open my eyes to the gifts You place all around me everyday. Help me to choose to feed my mind and soul with the goodness of Your Word. Thank you for true peace and hope that comes only from You. AMEN.
I wonder, what negative messages have I been absorbing from the culture around me?
How might this Bible passage help me to turn that awareness into a choice to meditate on the true, the lovely, the praiseworthy things?
What practices might I add to or subtract from my daily habits to help me connect more with God’s goodness?
Day 4 | Anchored In Hope | Hebrew 11:1-3 (NLT)
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrew 11:1-3 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Faith is trusting in what we cannot see. Our ancestors—the people of old—lived by this kind of faith. Their trust in God led them to experience His love, to build a boat on dry ground, and to follow His guidance into unfamiliar places. They believed in God’s never-stopping, never-giving-up, always-and-forever love.
Do I believe this? Does my faith reflect that amazing love? I take a minute to reflect on what I do by faith?
By faith, I open my Bible and believe God will meet me there.
By faith, I memorize scripture believing I will have access to truth when I need it.
By faith, I will surrender my thoughts to God, believing the wisdom of Philippians that says to take captive every thought.
By faith, I hold the heavy things of this world up to God believing that His presence will fill me with what I need to do my part to love those around me, family and neighbors alike.
By faith, I will continue to friend people who don’t look like me, believe like me or think like me.
By faith, I will pray for people who have yet to experience God‘s goodness, love, mercy and joy.
By faith, I will pray, audacious prayers like Jesus and trust that God can do anything.
By faith, I will pray the tiniest and even selfish prayers, knowing that God cares for the smallest detail and desires connection with me most of all.
By faith, I will connect with a small group believing in God‘s promise that where two or three are gathered there he will be.
By faith, I’ll reach out to a friend or family member who is yet to know how DEEPLY they are loved by God and continue to build a relationship and love like God loves.
By faith, I will invite a friend tea/coffee and build a friendship. I will enter the curiosity of God with them… What if there was a God who really loved us… Needing nothing from us, just longing for the chance to share the joy of the Holy Trinity with us?
By faith, I weep. I let sorrow in and let it flow through me. I get honest before God and feel the feelings, knowing that Jesus is near.
By faith, as the day turns into the night, I will love my people and not retreat, I will listen and enjoy their company.
By faith, I’ll let myself rest believing I am able to connect with God, self and others best from a rested state.
By faith, I begin to practice sabbath, resting from the relentless pursuit of purpose and letting my soul be refreshed.
Let us pray:
Abba, Thank you for the gift of faith that you freely offer everyone. Please help me to recognize the ways in which I am living in faith. Will you grant me the courage to see the ways I shy away from following you/embracing this faith? Thank you for your sweet love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I wonder what God will bring to mind if you ask Him to show you what you do by faith.
Day 5 | Anchored In Hope | Mark 2:1-5, 11-12 & John 13:34 (NLT)
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5 (NLT)
“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:11-12 (NLT)
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 (NLT)
For Reflection:
I read this passage and imagine what it was like to be one of the men that carried the paralyzed man. I sure would like to be the friend who triumphantly lowers the paralyzed man in front of Jesus for him to be healed and see the miracle unfold before my eyes. And then I wonder what it took to get there. How long had the friends known the paralyzed man? How long had this man been paralyzed? How long had he been longing for healing? Was he the one directing the men to bring him to Jesus or had he given up hope long ago and they were the ones who hoped Jesus could heal him? How many seemingly unanswered prayers to God had they prayed for this man asking for healing over the years? How many days did they care for their friend who couldn’t care for himself? How hard was it to push through crowds, climb on a roof, cut a hole and create a lowering mechanism all while carrying a man on a mat? I want to be the witness bearer to the miracle of Jesus. Am I also willing to be the long-suffering friend who continues to love, continues to hope, continues to push through the crowds and insist on Jesus for the sake of another? Mark says, “When Jesus saw their faith…” he forgave the man and healed him. Could he be implying that not only the faith of the paralyzed man, but the collective faith of the men that hoped and loved this man enough to carry him to Jesus is what healed him?
I think about the paralyzed man and then I think about a need, struggle or weakness of my own. I want to be an important friend helping those in need. I don’t want to be the needy one who is dependent on others. But what am I missing when I pretend I have it all together? When my own silent prayers run dry and I struggle to imagine restoration, what might I gain by revealing my paralysis to a friend? Someone who might peek over the obstacles and say, “I know you can’t see him right now, but that’s ok because I do. Jesus is here, he’s healing, he’s forgiving, he’s loving and performing miracles, let me share my faith, my hope and my love with you until you can experience him too.”
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, I thank you for your holy community. I thank you that you have not made us to live alone, but have created us for community. I admit that I struggle with the vulnerability, the discomfort and hard work that is called for to love in the way that you love. Give me your generosity of heart to hold hope for others when they need it. Give me the humbleness required to allow others to hold hope for me when I need it. I thank you for and continue to pray for relationships and community in my life that will spur one another on towards you in faith, hope and love. Amen.
I wonder if I know someone who needs a friend to hold hope for them. Is there an action I could take to that end?
I wonder what need I have that I could allow others to hold hope for me in?
I wonder who could hold hope for me?*
*If no one comes to mind, Pastor Patti would love to be a person to talk to, to hold space for hard things and to hope with you.
Day 6 | Anchored In Hope | John 5:1-9 (NLT)
Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath. John 5:1-9(NLT)
For Reflection:
“Would you like to get well?” "What a silly question, Jesus. I’ve been sick for 38 years, you think I want to stay this way?..." I picture the man retorting back. Instead, his response is logical yet lacking all hope… “I can’t sir, for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” The simplicity of his words… and yet the emptiness… the despair… the hopelessness. And I wonder about this man. Had he been lying there waiting for healing for 38 years? His hope waning as day by day no one came to help him enter the pool? Where were his family? His friends? How had he gotten there? And again, the question from Jesus, “Would you like to get well?”
“Would I want to get well?” We all struggle with injuries, illnesses, aches and pains… and then I realize the depth of the question behind Jesus’ words. “Would you like to get well?”. Do I want to be well? Healed? Whole? Do I want to feel peace? Find hope? Be anchored in him? It’s not that Jesus doesn’t care that we are physically hurting, but he also recognizes that healing of our spirit is what really matters. I think back to the story and what follows the man’s resigned response. Jesus heals him. He didn’t have to get into the water. He just got up and walked. I think about that healing and wonder if perhaps Jesus healed more than just the man’s physical body that day. He spoke to a man who’d been sick for 38 years and in one short command I like to think that he restored both his health and his hope.
I’m reminded of the passage in Mark when people are lined up outside the home of Simon and Andrew and Jesus is healing everyone until nightfall. “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go to the next towns, that I may preach out there also, for that is why I came out.” Mark 1:35-38.
“For that is why I came out.” Not to heal the sick, but to bring true healing by teaching and sharing the hope found in Jesus. Jesus did heal the sick. And he can heal us too. But Jesus’ message is that our physical pain is temporary. He is seeing past the temporary brokenness and is instead asking a much deeper question when he says, “Would you like to get well?”
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, please take away all the things that are creating barriers, causing me to not want to be well. You may not heal all our broken bodies, but you came to bring hope and life and heal our brokenness. Please help me to trust that your desire is to bring healing and wholeness and life to each and every one of us. Help me to emphatically be able to answer yes when asked if I want to be well. Thank you for healing us. Thank you for loving us. Amen.
Can you think of a time when you felt Jesus asking you if you want to be healed?
What might it look like if you decided to say yes to his wholeness and healing?
Day 7 | Anchored In Hope | Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
For Reflection:
I am the light of the world… unable to be hidden… shining for all to see. What an astounding picture this is. That each of us, as followers of Christ, are beacons of light and hope for him. Living in Maine, how can I think of any other analogy than that of a lighthouse. A beacon of light casting far and wide… shining brightly into the storm, ushering those who watch and seek into safe harbor.
It's easy for me to picture this analogy and feel pride knowing that this is our calling as Christians. And then, I enter my day. I go to work where I’m under a lens. I’m afraid to be different; to say the wrong thing… afraid to cast light where I see shadows. Because, in reality, shadows want to stay hidden, and I’m fearful of the repercussions of being light instead of joining in and entering the shadows. Or maybe I don’t even need to enter the shadows, but I keep my light inside, burning brightly in my heart, but covered, invisible to the seemingly judging eyes around me.
Have you ever covered a candle with a jar? It shines brightly for a minute, but then the fire burns up all the oxygen inside the jar and the light quickly extinguishes and leaves darkness. I wonder if the same could happen to me when I keep my light safe and hidden inside. If I hesitate or am fearful to share it with others; if I bury the light of Christ living in me under a basket, will it also eventually go out?
Christ’s desire and message are clear. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I sit and wonder at the enormity of that statement. I need to let my light shine before others so that others can see Christ through it. It’s not me under a lens of scrutiny... it’s Christ working through me. Just as a lighthouse is visible to troubled ships at sea, helping them to stay safe, and a city set high on a hill is visible for all to see, am I willing to let my light illuminate the message of Christ to those around me? Am I willing to allow Christ’s light to shine into the dark corners and spread light to the things lurking quietly in the shadows? Am I willing to live my life exemplifying the hope and message of the gospel song by Harry Dixon Loes, “This Little Light of Mine” and say to those around me,” This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.”
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, show me the places where I need to let YOUR light shine. Remove any fear or anxiety I feel when I think about sharing you with others. Help me to be proud and spread your light to those around me... to be a beacon of hope that others can turn to and see you. I love you. Amen.
Can you think of a time when you wanted to hide your light under a basket? What did it feel like?
What does being the light of the world mean to you?
Day 8 | Anchored In Hope | Hebrews 4:9-10 (NLT)
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:9-10 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Sabbath. Rest. Those two words evoke a feeling of calm when I hear them together. Commentaries say that this verse is pointing us toward the future eternal rest that we will experience when Jesus returns. But I know that scripture reminds us that there is rest and peace for us in the here and now, as a foretaste of that time to come.
It’s easy to fall into a habit of rushing through our days, wearing ourselves out needlessly. I was in a grocery store recently. It was one of those days when I had a lot of people visiting, and I was probably in a bit of a hurry. I got to the deli counter and there was a long, slow line ahead of me. I made a friendly ”oh, well” comment about the wait to the person in line behind me. But instead of complaining, she surprised me with her response. “I don’t mind at all,” she said. “It‘s so nice to have a little break in my busy morning.” Her simple comment helped me to slow down and actually enjoy the waiting.
In his book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”, John Mark Comer writes, “There’s more to life than an increase in speed. Life is right under our noses, waiting to be enjoyed.” And he continues, “Love, joy, and peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. And all three are incompatible with hurry.”
When we slow down and pay attention to God’s presence and gifts all around us each day, we can take part in the rest He has for us. This often goes against the pace of life all around us, but it frees us to connect with God in deeper ways.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, help me to slow down, to keep my focus on You and what You have for me in the moment. Forgive me for being too busy sometimes, so that I miss your good plans. Thank You for Your amazing patience, always drawing me back to Your peace and presence. Amen.
I wonder, how many times do we miss God’s presence by simply being in a hurry?
How many times might we miss connections with people who need to see Jesus in us?
How might God be inviting me into more rest with Him today?
Day 9 | Anchored In Hope | Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV) & 2 Corinthians 4:14-17 (NLT)
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)
We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:14-17 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Renewal. Hope. Glory.
“He who began a good work in you…” When God created us he called it good. On good days I believe this. I can feel God’s love despite my imperfections, see the gifts God has given me, the needs I have and hold hope that he will carry me into his goodness. On bad days, self-pity dwells on my hard circumstances or self-deprecation points to every fault, every bad habit I can’t seem to shake, every character flaw, every sin ends in shame. Stuck in pity and shame I feel no hope, there is no room for good or grace, no vision for the coming glory. Can you relate? What thoughts tend to pull you away from hope? The truth is that these very troubles are the ones God promises to turn to glory. No matter what mess we have made or hard circumstances we have found ourselves in - God is loving us, he began a good work, and he continues renewing us. Every. Day.
These truths are hope. When our identity is rooted in the good work God began, then there is hope for it to continue. When our troubles are promised to pale in the comparison to the coming glory, renewal seems possible. My thoughts can be fickle and sometimes it feels as if I waffle between dwelling in God’s truth and dwelling in my own shame in equal measure. But as I weave these truths into my thought patterns, and come back to them again and again, as I dwell on God’s love and allow him to penetrate my heart, I find myself being renewed. I find myself more and more in my best days. The ones where I find that this isn’t about me at all. My actions, my flaws, my skills, my sins, my circumstances are proportionately irrelevant when I am experiencing God’s presence and power, the good work he is doing in and around me, the renewal he is bringing that I get to be a part of and the glory that is coming. Here, I am anchored in hope for renewal, for goodness, for grace, for thanksgiving, for God’s glory to come in me and the world.
What kind of day is it for you today? Where is your focus? Are you able to see the renewal of your spirit and God’s good work in you? How might you anchor more and more hope into his renewal of all things? What might this change in your life?
Let us pray:
Dear God, you created me with a whole array of thoughts and feelings. You know that some days feel harder than others. Regardless of my circumstances or my particular mood, I plead to stay anchored in hope for your glory. Give me hope in the goodness that has been, is now and is yet to come; hope in your faithfulness to stick with me, to continue to direct my path, to renew me and to carry me onto completion. Give me persistent hope in your love that has overcome the world. Amen.
I wonder how anchoring in hope of God’s glory impacts my thoughts, feelings and actions.
Day 10 | Anchored In Hope | Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
For Reflection:
This is one of my favorite verses. It’s often spoken as a benediction, a sending out into the world, concluding church services. My favorite part of church. A truth spoken over the congregation which brings to me a reminder to stay grounded in him. But it’s more than that. It’s a verse that causes me to pause and reflect on the meaning of the words and what’s really being portrayed. I wonder what Paul’s intent was as he spoke this blessing. The word hope sticks out to me especially. As a word, it has always felt more conceptual than tangible, and rightly so, because the reality is that hope is the belief that what is desired will come to pass. Hope can refer to an object or person which inspires this feeling of expectation and can also be a source of comfort and encouragement. In short, hope is what keeps us pressing onward in life.
As humans, hope is a standard part of our lives, keeping us moving forward day after day. Hope is often the reason we pursue the next job opportunity or introduce ourselves to a new friend. We live life hoping for something bigger, better, and more fulfilling. Thinking that the next great achievement will make us feel like we’ve finally arrived. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” What is this hope we are longing for?
I reflect back on Paul’s words in the benediction, allowing them to wash over me. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace”… Confidence in knowing that our God is a sure foundation who will never leave us. Assurance that there will be true and lasting joy and peace found in his presence. A hope that once we meet and come to know him, this “achievement” once attained will not fall flat like that last promotion or state championship. Hoping in God and what he has for us both here on Earth and in eternity can truly be a source of comfort and encouragement as we learn to trust in him.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your love and for providing us with something that we can hope in. I ask that I approach each day with the confidence to truly know that you are our source of hope. That nothing else can replace it or come close to compare. Help me to trust in you so that I may truly know and have assurance that you are God. I love you. Amen.
What is something you are hoping for? How might putting your hope in God possibly affect this hope?
Day 11 | Anchored In Hope | Jeremiah 17:7 & Romans 12:12 (NLT)
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence." Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Confident Hope Amid Unexpected, Hard Things: Finding Sacred Spaces
In today's passages, Jeremiah and Paul share a consistent message of confident hope in the Lord. Of trusting. Of being patient and persistent in prayer in times that are hard, in the waiting, and in every day. Both were speaking from direct knowledge and depth of faith amid difficulty – with and without glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking through among His people.
Their urging sounds so straight-forward – even desirable; yet, it can sometimes be so hard to live out in real-time. We encounter experiences—a diagnosis, a challenge with school or work or family. Circumstances that can suddenly shift our days and focus considerably; and sometimes even challenge our sense of security, wellness, or peace. This can be unsettling. When things like this happen, I tend to react, striving for control and peace. What is your instinctive response?
Pause and ask yourself: Where am I now? Do I find myself anchored, steady, my hope in Jesus and at peace as I focus forward or am I feeling shaken, unsettled and tossed about?
I’m reminded of Jesus’s own words to His disciples just before He would sacrifice His life out of love for them and for us. He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When things are hard or I’m unexpectedly thrown off track, I am grateful for the encouragement of Paul and Jeremiah, and of Jesus Himself, who remind me where my strength, courage, and peace come from. Yet allowing this to influence my thoughts, words, perspective and actions in real-time remains for me hard to do. Perspective offered by Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychologist speaks to a space that exists between stimulus and response. When something happens (stimulus), we react (response). However, there is a space in between – however small – where we have a choice. In this space is an opportunity, with God's help, to choose our response rather than instinctively react. In this space - this choice - through prayer, trust, and making the Lord our hope and confidence, He can guide our choices and help transform our unhelpful reactions into intentional, life-giving words and actions. Sacred spaces.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, I am frustrated when life throws hurdles in my way. Some days are just hard. I thank you for being with me. Always. Lord, would you help me to remember your promises; the encouragement provided in your word. Lord, would you help me to plant myself firmly in you, to keep my heart tethered to yours so I can find sacred spaces amid the chaos, trusting that you love me and will strengthen me. Lord, would you help me see my patterns of reacting amid challenges that work against me and others, even against you. Would you help me to find the tiny space – the pause – when unexpected challenges come my way…to seek YOU in these spaces and trust you will help me choose your way of peace. Would you strengthen my faith, my hope in you, my confidence in your power to bring wholeness and peace to my heart, relationships, family, and the world around me. I love you and trust you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
I wonder... Is loving Jesus the same as confidently hoping in Him?
How might I bring Jesus into my choices and responses as I go about my day?
Day 12 | Anchored In Hope | 1 Peter 3:15 (MSG)
Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 1 Peter 3:15 (MSG)
For Reflection:
In the local strawberry patch, amid the most mediocre berries I’ve seen in years, I find myself processing disappointment. All year long, I dream of big, scrumptious, perfectly flavored berries. But as my expectations and reality collide, I’m reminded that this space is often the birthplace of disappointment. How we experience it…and how we walk through it…matters, whether it’s tiny berries or big dreams.
I feel the sun picking up in intensity and I pop a berry into my mouth. I’m savoring the flavor as the wind picks up and I become aware of God’s presence with me. I bring my thoughts to a place of gratitude and begin to hunt for berries with renewed delight as I let go of past expectations and focus on what’s right in front of me. The sweet taste of the berry lingers and brings a smile to my face. I’m chatting away with friends as I continue to search to fill my flat with berries.
A few minutes later, I found myself in a conversation with the lady in the next row. She had overheard me talking about church. As we connected over the disappointing berries, she shared a few things about herself: she used to go to church, she believes God is watching from a distance and is really only needed for big prayer requests. I could sense her distance from Him.
I wondered with her… what if God is actively working through people here on earth right now to reconnect what is broken within the relationships between us and God, each other, ourselves, and even the earth that produced these tiny berries? As we chatted, I prayed. I prayed for God to help me say anything that might draw her back to Him. I released my agenda and spoke as honestly as I could about God’s presence in my life, hoping to stir curiosity and possibly spark some rethinking. I leaned into the things that tether me to my faith. I say, I appreciate the rhythm of church each week that keeps revealing a bit more about how much God’s love for us brings peace to my soul.
Sometimes in conversations, I say that I’m studying the person of Jesus when I sense that the word Christian might feel too complicated. Then, if there’s a follow-up question, the focus is actually on Jesus—his life, how he healed, how he challenged people, and how he ultimately displayed the most generous, sacrificial love of all.
Peter reminds us to always be prepared to give an answer for the faith that we have and offer it with gentleness and respect. I wonder if I would have missed this conversation altogether if I had let my disappointment about berries cloud my mind. When I’m paying attention I can see opportunities to encourage others and speak the hope of Jesus. Have you noticed these opportunities too? Ask Jesus how to engage…even if you don't get peace each time you ask, you are building your awareness of people and your connection to God’s Holy Spirit that promises to be with us….. always!
Let us pray:
God, thank you for tiny things that draw our attention back to you. Would you continue to let us see with your eyes the people around us…would you equip us with words when it’s lifegiving and silence when that is needed instead. May we keep studying our Lord and Savior Jesus, listening well to others, and offering thoughtful words that explain our faith. Amen.
I wonder how I might prepare to articulate my faith today.
Day 13 | Anchored In Hope | Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)
For Reflection:
What faith and hope Bartimaeus displays in this passage! He just knew that Jesus could make him see. In his hope, he shouted for Jesus as soon as he heard he was nearby, he ignored the crowd who tried to quiet him, his singular focus was to get to Jesus. Whether life is going well or my circumstances feel unbearable, I want a faith like Bartimaeus that pleads “Son of David, have mercy on me!” at the top of my lungs, pushing through all that tries to quiet me. Have you ever experienced a time when you have cried out to God? What was that like or what do you imagine it would be like? When he gained the attention of Jesus and was called to him, he “Jumped up and came to Jesus”. I can feel the desire in his words, the eagerness in his actions, he was desperate for Jesus. I think about the paralyzed man we read about in Day 6 (John 5:1-9) who was sitting by the healing pool. When Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed, he had all the reasons why he couldn’t be, and then Jesus healed him. But here Bartimaeus is insistent and pushy, anxious to be healed and knowing just what he wanted from Jesus. I wonder what the difference was between them. Can you relate to one or the other of them in the way you approach Jesus when in need? Do you even ask Jesus to heal you in the first place? Do you list all the reasons why healing is impossible and won’t happen for you? Or do you cry out to him, push forward towards him, insist on his healing? I’m comforted by the fact that Jesus saw them both, gave them each what they needed, and healed them. For Bartimaeus, Jesus was ready to respond to his faith, ready to have mercy on him and give him what he desired. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks, and Bartimaeus knows without a doubt what he wants Jesus to do for him and is not afraid to ask. “I want to see!” His statement, spurred by faith, filled with hopeful anticipation for the moment that he is able to see. Faith in Jesus anchoring his hope.
Let us pray:
Dear God, thank you for the stories you give us in your word of so many different ways that you inspire hope in people. Thank you for the character of Jesus that turns towards people, asks their needs and heals. I pray for an insistent faith that is desperate for you regardless of my circumstances and needs. God, I want to see! See your healing come, see your love in this world. Give me faith to seek you, encounters with you, and hope in your healing ways. Amen.
I wonder what my response would be if Jesus asked me “What do you want me to do for you?”
Day 14 | Anchored In Hope | Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV 2008)
I am with you.
I am mighty to save you.
I take great delight in you.
I will quiet you with my love.
I will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Reading this verse recently, I had a mental picture of a young child, frightened by something, or hurt, crying and being comforted by a kind, loving parent. This Mom or Dad can see the bigger picture that the child just can’t see, knowing that things will be better soon, and they patiently hold the child as it cries.
We are often like that young child, hurt or frightened by trials in life. And Jesus is drawn to us in those moments. He loves to comfort us. Memorizing and meditating on this passage can be a way for us to become more aware of God’s comfort.
Try reading through this passage SLOWLY. Personalize it. At the end of each line, picture Jesus gazing at you saying those words to you.
"I am with you. I am mighty to save you. I take great delight in you. I will quiet you with my love. I will rejoice over you with singing."
Let us pray:
Dear God, help me to remember that you are always with me, always holding me, never leaving me. Give me ears to hear the song You are singing over me. Help me to rest in You as I hear you speak through these verses. Amen.
I wonder, when was the last time I thought about how God is drawn to us when we are hurting or scared.
Does this verse remind me of His deep love for me? Does it inspire hope?
Day 15 | Anchored In Hope | Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT)
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT)
For Reflection:
As you read this scripture, pay attention to what stands out to you. How do you react to this scripture? Does it excite you with encouragement? Does it tighten your chest with judgement or fear? Does it spark a particular thought or call for action? Does it bring memories of positive or negative experiences of meeting with God’s people? Name it all in the presence of your creator.
Once I notice my initial reaction, I start to think back over my own encouraging experiences meeting together with others who love Jesus. I remember the communal worship at a conference that felt like a moment of heaven on Earth. I remember the small group where I shared hard things and prayers covered me in peace. I remember the conversation with a friend that allowed me to wrestle through what I really thought about that scripture and how that informed my picture of God. I remember the text at just the right moment to ground my attention in God during a particularly stressful time. I remember verbally processing “how exactly do I be loving in this situation where I want to be anything but” to an ear that would spur me on towards Christlikeness. I remember hearing a sermon that felt like it was being spoken only to me as God would gently press his love into my tender spots, and I remember the person in my church community who, listening to that same sermon, could help me bring it forward into my actions and my life. These moments are precious, but they can be easy to miss, easy to get too busy for, easy to push against in a cynical view of past hurts. But these moments are where we get to dwell with God, “Where two or three are gathered, I am there with them.” (Matthew 18:20) These moments fill me with thankfulness that God would care for us through this passage by reminding us of all of the love, encouragement, and hopefulness that can be gained in meeting together as his community to remember his promises, be in his presence, and live out his love . I am thankful for the way he uses others to anchor us in hope. I encourage you to think about what experiences have shaped your view of Christian community. What is your current habit with Christian community? How can we engage in community in such a way as to encourage each other towards love and good deeds?
Let us pray:
Dear God,
I thank you for your promises, your love, your trustworthiness. I thank you for my Christian community and the ways they have encouraged me to turn my attention to you. I bring before you now any hurts that I hold from when your people have not acted in your love. I pray for forgiveness for any way that I have acted towards your people that has not encouraged them in your love. I pray your redemption over my bruised places. I pray for a welcoming and loving community for everyone to enter who seeks to follow you. I pray for new determination in keeping up habits of meeting with others, and that you would reveal how to be a part of this community. I pray that you would bring to mind ways that I can encourage others in love and how we can together anchor our hope in you. Amen
I wonder how meeting with other Christians has impacted my hope and acts of love.
I wonder how I can motivate another to acts of love and good works.
Day 16 | Anchored In Hope | John 1:1-5 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Jesus as the Word. This strikes me as an interesting way in which to describe Jesus. And yet, if you pause and think deeply, Jesus being called the Word (Logos in Greek), is in essence acknowledging that He is the ultimate, living revelation and expression of God to humanity. Jesus, as the Word, reveals the very nature of God and makes him known to us. Wonder for a moment about the character of Jesus; what kind of a man was he? I know specific words certainly pop into my head… Kind. Generous. Empathetic. Compassionate. Gentle. If Jesus is the expression of God… the human expression of the Creator, then God must also be all of those things. What a beautiful picture that presents.
“In him was life, and life was the light of men.” At creation, the light being brought into the world was a physical light… the sun, moon and stars. When Jesus came as the light of the world, He brought truth, reason and power of understanding. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus, as the ultimate truth shone light into the world and no shadows or darkness were able to overcome it. Nor can they still. As Christ followers, we are connected with Christ by the light which shines within us, and that light continues to prove God’s omnipotence as it persistently shines in the darkest places.
Scripture in James 1:17 also says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” The Father of lights. What a thought. God. Our Father. The Light of the World. He is the ultimate source of all light, steadfast and immutable, unlike the shifting lights and shadows of the world. God the Father and Jesus – God the Son: Father of lights, light of the world – alive in us. Will we anchor here, in Christ, who is steadfast and unwavering, and allow His light to shine through us without variation or wavering?
Let us pray:
Dear God, help me to hold steadfast and unwavering as you shine your light into the world through me. Allow me to be courageous and strong, sharing your light as you draw others towards you. As I enter today, keep me anchored in you, remembering how kind, caring, compassionate and loving you are. Amen.
I wonder what Jesus’ light reveals to me?
I wonder how to share His light and truth in ways that are consistent with his character?
Day 17 | Anchored In Hope | 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (NIV)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Our God, strong and mighty, powerful and everlasting is our Father of compassion, God of all comfort. I allow this truth to settle into my heart and mind. How calming to read these words, to think of – receive and see Him in this light. To know that God looks at us in love, sees our struggles and pain, and moves toward us with compassion. His heart longs to bring wholeness and healing to our lives.
Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s comfort. What happened? Maybe you're needing His comfort right now. I recall a very difficult time in my life. “A breath at a time…” was my daily survival strategy. I recall a few people who barely knew me, yet welcomed me and prayed for and with me. They encouraged me time and again with God’s truth and promises, which brought surprising peace to my heart and mind – and somehow helped me breathe easier, even amid the hardest moments. Real comfort, even though the challenging circumstances remained. I was experiencing the peace, presence, and comfort of God through people who shared His promises and their hope in a way that bolstered and redirected mine. A gift.
His comfort in our lives becomes contagious. When neighbors experienced a sudden and tragic loss, I instinctively went to them, offering comfort through simple quiet presence, prayers, encouragement through His word, and serving in ways to help lighten their load as others had for me. They would later share how those small gestures humbly offered helped them experience God’s love in a new way. A gift of life in community. As we anchor our hope in Jesus, we are available to become conduits for His love and comfort, bringing hope, grace, comfort and peace to the people around us. Have you noticed these opportunities? Will we allow the comfort we have received to give us courage and confidence to comfort others? And to look to God for comfort in our times of need, trusting in our hearts that He looks upon us with compassion and comforts us in His presence.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, our comforter, strength, and hope. Thank you for your compassion, mercy and love. I remember specific ways you have comforted me, and I am so grateful. I think of people you have brought into my life who lovingly shared peace, strength and hope in you, which comforted me and helped me experience your love and presence. Thank you! Lord, would you help me remain open and attentive to opportunities you provide to share your peace and love with others you place in my path who need your comfort? If there is someone specific who is in need of comfort right now, would you bring that person to mind; and would you guide my words and actions. Help me to listen without judging or trying to fix; to share peace and offer to pray, without fear. Help me to remember that your love and comfort freely given are gifts that multiply when shared with others. Thank you for loving me, for wanting wholeness and peace in my heart and life. I praise you and love you. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
I wonder whether I am truly open to receiving God's comfort?
I wonder if I have enough margin in my days and interactions to notice and respond when someone is in need of God's comfort?
I wonder what keeps me from entering into people's experiences to offer comfort?
Day 18 | Anchored In Hope | Isaiah 40:28 (NLT)
A wondering through Isaiah 40:28 NLT
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? (v.28)
I wonder about the gift of insight God gives us as we sit with the Scriptures.
With unhurried repetition…reading slowly, listening deeply…
we may be given the grace to enter a thin space:
those sacred moments where the boundary between the earthly and the divine mesh seamlessly.
In those moments, we’re invited into awe, wonder,
and a deeper, more intimate connection with God.
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth. (v.28)
Everlasting.
God doesn’t come and go He exists outside of time, always present, never fading.
We long to grasp this truth,
but our finite mind can only reach so far.
Still, we try.
Creator.
Consider the beauty of sunrises and sunsets those moments that steal our breath, beckon our undivided attention.
There is a longing for time to slow its pace, to linger just a little longer, as we cultivate a posture of gratitude.
He never grows weak or weary no one can measure the depths of his understanding. (v.28)
In moments of feeling weak and weary, let’s remember…
We are not God.
And if we’re not God,
Then we don’t need to carry what was never ours to hold.
Not other people.
Not their thoughts, their choices, or even their relationship with God.
Let’s not pretend to have all the answers because, surely, we don’t.
We are simply invited to participate
in the wonder, with curiosity,
and to be honest about the truths we’ve encountered and experienced.
Let us pray:
God, will you increase our desire to sit with you and your word, to find space to be with you. A plethora of things - from the mundane chores to people's actual needs - attempt to insert their importance over this time and space. Help us recognize your whisper and trust that the other things on our to-do list will wait for our attention. Gracious God, please meet with us in our tender and vulnerable spaces. Let us be honest in those moments and open to experiencing you - the maker of all the heavens and this earth. We take a deep breath in and pray thank you creator God, exhaling we pray for this day. Amen.
I wonder how my gratitude for God can continue to grow today.
Day 19 | Anchored In Hope | Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)
A wondering through Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT
He gives his power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (v.29)
What does it really mean to be weak?
Is it helplessness? Is it knowing our limitations?
Or is it the deep awareness that you’re at the end of your rope?
The Spirit of God consistently moves away from worldly power.
Because when we humans gain power, we often just crave more.
It begins to crowd out space at the very center of our souls
the place meant for deep, divine connection with God.
Even the youth will become weak and tired, and young men will fall into exhaustion. (v.30)
What if weakness was a gift?
Could it be a clue…an invitation…leading us back to the quiet presence of the Lord?
A moment to recalibrate.
To re-examine our thinking and align it with a deeper understanding or renewed purpose.
Is there a value we’ve lost sight of?
A moment with God He wants to bring back to mind?
Perhaps a habit that’s formed that needs reflection or even redirection?
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 tells us that when we are weak, God’s strength becomes our own.
In weakness, we don’t just encounter our limitations…we encounter Him.
When we align the reality of who God is with the truth of our own humanity,
We begin to see more clearly His redemptive character,
His fierce, unrelenting love for humanity… and for each and every one of us.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength and they will soar high on wings like eagles. (v.31)
Trusting God gives us new strength.
Believing that God is still in control…no matter how chaotic the world may seem
gifts us fresh strength.
But strength for what?
To do more?
Be more?
Strive more?
Or… could this strength be something quieter, deeper something that grounds our minds, hearts, and souls?
A strength that calms and realigns our whole being
to the One who created it in the first place.
A strength that settles us just enough
to become aware of God’s presence again
to catch a glimpse of His leading,
to hear His guiding whisper.
Maybe in that still place, our burdens gain perspective.
Maybe peace grows… not because the situation stops being a mess,
but because we’re no longer carrying it alone.
Does this mean pretending that garbage circumstances aren’t stinky bundles of UGH?
Absolutely not!
Honesty is always required.
AND if we immerse our minds in His deep, never-stopping, never-giving-up, always-and-forever love,
we just might resurface with fresh strength
Perhaps strength to soar with God.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (v.31)
So maybe these weary feelings are actually a reminder
An open invitation to reconnect with our Maker.
To remember whose we are.
To remember how deeply we are loved.
To pause long enough to imagine God… looking at us, really seeing us and loving us right where we are.
What if these weary moments could draw us back to hope
back to the steady, anchoring presence of God?
And from this place of connection with Jesus,
perhaps our lives will begin to reflect His everlasting love
not through striving, but through abiding.
Let us pray:
Lord, thank you for your great love! May we keep in step with you and be people who have INDEED heard your word and believe that your power is at work among us. Remind us that our weakness is actually a good thing, for it invites us back to you. God, we long for thin spaces to experience you. Please help us identify and remove anything that is keeping us from you. WE LOVE YOU! In Jesus name, AMEN!
I wonder what my limitations can show me about the depths of God’s love.