When hope is a blur...

When HOPE is a blur, when it feels elusive, then what?  In my quest for answers, many of which I will never have until Heaven, I have leaned on faith.  But surely faith is tested!  Then what?

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

I challenged myself to read the book of Mark this Christmas season, and I can honestly say it was God who challenged me.  For many years I have talked about the Bible, the Word of God, as He describes it Himself in Hebrews 4:12, "full of living power."  I believe that with all my heart!  It's not a magic book.  It's a book, a letter, that God encourages us to read as a GIFT from Him.  He is the GIFT.  

He. Is. The. Gift.

What a gift then to read about WHY Jesus was born as a baby!  What a gift to see the HOPE that lies beyond the manger!  I even thought as I challenged others to read Mark along with me, that much of it would sound unbelievable.  Honestly, I even feared that.  But it's not up to me to understand, or to make anyone believe.  There is so much freedom in that!  Jesus is the light!  

I could totally jump the track and get all geeked up about John chapter 1 right now!  It's a powerful tangent!  For another time..., but just a snippet, in John Chapter 1 Jesus says, 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,  and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

A step can look like an insurmountable leap sometimes, but it is to simply to pray and read.  In Romans 10:17 Paul says "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."  We need to hear.  How?  "Through the Word of Christ."  Read it out loud if you can, hear it!  That is what the book of Mark is all about, the Word of Christ.  It is His testimony that brings hope and light.  

The reason I got so excited this morning is because Mark chapter 8 talks about Jesus healing the blind man.  Mark writes in verses 23-25, 

"And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."

Jesus revealed this mans sight in phases.  At first all he could see were people that looked like blurry trees walking around, then Jesus healed him completely, and "he saw everything clearly."  I had read this passage last year and used it when I was writing about faith and grief.  At the time, my faith felt much like seeing blurry trees as mentioned here in Mark.  

I longed to sense the presence of Jesus in my life again.  He was not gone, but I felt I was.  I still don't have answers, and I still long for them.  But all the while, my longing has been more for the presence of Jesus, than for answers.  

That is why I encourage you to press into God with me.  What have you got to lose?  But what might you gain?!  HOPE!  I continue to pray and read the Bible.  I still ache, but I know in my very being that my eternity will be in heaven with Jesus.  Coming through the dark season, still lingering there often, makes the sense of God's presence within my soul sweeter than ever before.  And your story?  I ache for you.  God aches for you too.  That is why He made a way.

See, in Mark 8:33 it says there are times when we are tempted to believe the darkness and "are not setting (our) your mind(s) on the things of God, but on the things of man."  Paul clarifies this in Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."  It's an intentional fixing of our minds on eternity with God.

Our HOPE, even when blurry, can be solid.  For our complete healing will come one day. If you're unsure, do the simple thing, read the Bible and pray for God to make Himself known in your soul.  You don't have to work at it.  Jesus did the work, and we can celebrate His birth!  He opens our eyes and we see the light.  Light is not elusive!  It shines in the dark!

As I ask God to meet me in reading His Word each day, I'm also asking Him to bring light and hope to you who are hurting right now.  Present pain may stay, but a future HOPE in God will win! 

"And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

The Three Wise men spent two years following the star to bring treasures to the King.  They found that He was the TREASURE.  We too can follow the star.  We can hurt together, and we can hope together!  We can find treasures together!  God's promises are true!
love,
Julie

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Lauren Daigle, Noel

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Lincoln Brewster, While I Wait
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