Pushing requires character strength. Who can strengths our character better than the Holy Spirit! He is spirit of power, truth and counsel. That is why the apostle Paul prays for the believers to be endowed with Him, Ephesians 3:16 “that He would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner self”. The Pulling part of hope requires the encouragement from the trustworthy saints. Paul says in the first letter to the Thessalonians5:11 “therefore encourage one another and build one another up just as you also are doing.”
God is the source of authentic Hope. It propels us to love and serve. Romans 5:5 “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who was given to us.”. God also, longs to pull us close to Him. Jesus told Jerusalem how much He desires pulling them under his wings. Mathew 23:27 “how often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
We relate through the bonding with God and trustworthy saints to receive steady supply of love and truthfulness. Their truthful words help relinquish the illusions of being abandoned and uncared for.
We use the distinctness lens to discern our share of responsibility in persevering in serving. Galatians 6:9 “let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we don’t become weary”. We give up the illusion that material things to bring us fulfillment. When we examine hope through integration lens, we see the grace of that reconciles our flawed parts with virtues ones. We cease to pursue perfection and press on towards maturity.
Finally, through the levelness lens, we see the equal worth of others. We pin our hope on deepening love, trustworthy relationships.
Throughout the journey of transforming our relational lens, we lean on trustworthy friends for their encouragement and truthfulness 1 Thessalonians 5:4 we urge, you, brothers and sisters admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the week, be patient with everyone”. Friend’s solid identity produces honest disagreement that sharpens us to cut through our illusions. Proverbs 27:17 “as iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” Illusions can too motive, but its leads to the dead end. We embrace fully the power of Hope only after we put an end to illusion.
Susie was a professional who climbed the corporate ladder. she was paying tuitions for her twins in college. She had hoped that when they graduate, she will suddenly become flushed with cash. She can then live the dream of traveling and vlogging. However, as she taught scripture in her small group, her faith grew stronger. Rather than hoping for money she started hoping to deepen her love relationships with her aging mom and fellow friends. She did less to pursue money and felt more content with her life.
The apostle praised, hope love and faith. they all are relational experiences. Faith works through love relationship. Galatians 5:6 “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor circumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” Love in turn, inspires hope one Corinthians 13:7 “love believes all things hopes all things and endures all things.” Hope fixes our gaze on God who is love Himself. Psalm 62:5 “my soul waits in silence for God alone for my hope is from him.”Let our hope, love and faith come from God. To Him all the glory.
