“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
I have always loved this verse. And it remained on a sticky note on my desk for a few years. Probably only due to wear and tear did it get taken down. Today it was part of my devotions. And like meeting up with an old friend I had an enthusiastic “Yes!” in my spirit.
ALL. That is the pivot point in this verse when I read it. God has infinite supply to us. There can be overflow. We ourselves are the limiting factor. Trust. Believe. These words are actionable. And quite frankly spoken in a shallow context far too often. Perhaps in our interactions with each other one can champion us to trust or believe. But are we trusting in ourselves? Do we believe as we should? I am questioning this before you today as I search myself. I want to truly encourage others so I myself have to go deeper. But it seems we all could stand to go deeper, why do we avoid this in our day to day. I am even thinking of the words “How are you?” We ask but do we really take the time with each other to fully know or be known. Trust.
We certainly can not get there by ourselves but it holds a promise of overflow. Run your cup under the faucet. Look at the overflow. That thought amazes me. Our focus can not be on ourselves. No matter the trial or pain, continually be filled so we can have overflow. There is more. Believe.
So what if we thought of sunbeams as laughter, a soft breeze as an eraser, spring dirt smell as a jump start and our first step into today as the best beginning. It undoubtedly would change our thoughts. A moment of peace perhaps an opportunity of being poised for receiving joy. But moreover, we can embrace hope in that place. Just let it be a moment when nothing is wrong between you and God. Come to a right relationship with yourself. Start with a moment to exercise an act of trust and find joy and peace. Move toward an attitude to trusting God. We can get it ALL!
Just two girls in the woods for ONE, saying Yes! to the God of Hope.