What do you do when
you lose your job? My friend sent me an email after receiving a pink slip. The
thing is . . . the job solely provided for their family of four. They had been
challenged with trying to make it on one income. What will they do without any
income? It seems too hard; however, they are choosing to have hope even though it does not make sense.
How is it possible to have hope when it does not make sense? Luke wrote about a childless couple that learned about the gift of hope: "Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense." (Luke 1:8- 9, NAB)
Though Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have a clue that God would use their problem in the story of the birth of Christ, they continued to serve. God used their service to transform their lives and the world.
How is it possible to have hope when it does not make sense? Luke wrote about a childless couple that learned about the gift of hope: "Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense." (Luke 1:8- 9, NAB)
Though Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have a clue that God would use their problem in the story of the birth of Christ, they continued to serve. God used their service to transform their lives and the world.
The phrase, "now it happened"
reveals that God is present and at work regardless of what we think or know. Zechariah and Elizabeth were faced with "barrenness."
They had been unable to have children and, subsequently, could not ensure their
priestly lineage would continue on. In the ancient days, barrenness was a
problem that impacted every facet of their life.
At one time or another, problems lead to a sense of barrenness . . . a feeling of emptiness and aloneness. These are the times it does not make sense to hope.
So, how do we live beyond the barrenness of hopelessness and make the next 54 days of summer count?
At one time or another, problems lead to a sense of barrenness . . . a feeling of emptiness and aloneness. These are the times it does not make sense to hope.
So, how do we live beyond the barrenness of hopelessness and make the next 54 days of summer count?
Hope the way
Zechariah and Elizabeth hoped.
Acknowledge the presence of God in the midst of what you are facing.
Trust God to provide a way through the problem.
Hope. . . God is at work . . . and will shift the universe to put His plan into place.
Learning with you to KICK START the day through hope even when it does not make sense,
Acknowledge the presence of God in the midst of what you are facing.
Trust God to provide a way through the problem.
Hope. . . God is at work . . . and will shift the universe to put His plan into place.
Learning with you to KICK START the day through hope even when it does not make sense,
Pastor
Kerrie
(written
by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/
~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR
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