Peace and Hope!
"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
There are two symbols that I am drawn to in a sort of unnatural way: hearts and peace signs. I don’t know when this fascination began, or why, but I am inextricably attracted to both. Honestly, I think it is the Word of God living within me. My yearning for both peace and love is a function of my understanding that our hope is in the Lord.
How many times have we experienced a small, or large serendipity? Something happens that seems improbable, and it is very good—maybe we meet the right person at the right time, a friend happens to check in on us just after we’ve heard some bad news, a reason for concern passes without event? I sometimes refer to these happy coincidences as the work of my guardian angel. I don’t know if there is such a thing, but I believe it is God’s hand at work, giving me hope, peace, love, and a way forward.
This has happened enough for me to see that I am not in charge, that God has a plan, and a better way than I could ever engineer for myself. And, THAT is my hope, that my faith will carry me through both small and big things.
In Romans 5:1-5 Paul writes: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 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.
Praise God for faith, love, hope and the promise of peace!
- Ellen Rendle