"Hope" by Paula J. Hampton
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)
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
My friend, psychologist Doreen Dodgen Magee, stalled me with a social media post yesterday. She asked her followers to respond to the question: “What is the light that is moving you forward/calling to you in this time?” I stopped scrolling. Thought. What IS moving me forward right now? Am I even moving forward? What is stirring within me? Anything? I came up blank.
I’m not a naturally hopeful person. My melancholy temperament, along with a strong sense of empathy and emotional awareness means I carry a lot of heaviness for the people and world around me. Some days even a thread of hope escapes my grasp.
I wonder about the people Isaiah speaks of, the people of Israel, buried in darkness and never-ending cycles of hardship and grief. They’re “walking in darkness,” waiting for the light. In other words, they’re trying to move forward in hope.
In my own life, I’ve often had to ask God to give me hope because it’s not something I can conjure up on my own. My hope must come from God (Psalm 62:5). The God of hope can fill me with joy and peace so that I might “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:3). Paul tells us to rejoice in our hope, to be patient in our suffering, to persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12). It’s not something we can just turn on and off, but God can provide hope for us and in us.
Meditate on the scriptures above. Ask yourself the question Doreen posed: “What is the light [or hope] that is moving you forward/calling to you in this time [of advent]?” Try to sit with this question long enough to work through the darkness you may be feeling.
In response, try one of these activities:
You might also consider sharing your thoughts and/or creative piece(s) with one other person (through the mail, via email, by tagging them in a social media post, or in person).
I’m not a naturally hopeful person. My melancholy temperament, along with a strong sense of empathy and emotional awareness means I carry a lot of heaviness for the people and world around me. Some days even a thread of hope escapes my grasp.
I wonder about the people Isaiah speaks of, the people of Israel, buried in darkness and never-ending cycles of hardship and grief. They’re “walking in darkness,” waiting for the light. In other words, they’re trying to move forward in hope.
In my own life, I’ve often had to ask God to give me hope because it’s not something I can conjure up on my own. My hope must come from God (Psalm 62:5). The God of hope can fill me with joy and peace so that I might “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:3). Paul tells us to rejoice in our hope, to be patient in our suffering, to persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12). It’s not something we can just turn on and off, but God can provide hope for us and in us.
Meditate on the scriptures above. Ask yourself the question Doreen posed: “What is the light [or hope] that is moving you forward/calling to you in this time [of advent]?” Try to sit with this question long enough to work through the darkness you may be feeling.
In response, try one of these activities:
- Write. Use a journal to work through your response. Or write a poem. Or make a list of things that give you hope, that draw you into the light.
- Draw or paint. What does hope look like to you? Bright colors against a dark background? What images come to mind?
- Create a collage. Using images from printed materials, fabric, and text, create a mixed-media piece that suggests “hope” to you.
- Take photos. When you’re out and about, notice those sights around you that stir your soul to hope. Perhaps it’s a sunrise. New growth on a houseplant. Sunshine after rain. Collect your photos into a digital “hope” slide show.
You might also consider sharing your thoughts and/or creative piece(s) with one other person (through the mail, via email, by tagging them in a social media post, or in person).
About the Facilitator
Paula J. Hampton
Eden Spiritual Care board member
Paula J. Hampton has devoted many years to supporting Christian education as an editor of books, Bible studies, and devotionals for Barclay Press. She practices self-care through quilting, reading, and baking.
Eden Spiritual Care board member
Paula J. Hampton has devoted many years to supporting Christian education as an editor of books, Bible studies, and devotionals for Barclay Press. She practices self-care through quilting, reading, and baking.
