My new daughter’s middle name is Hope. I have often discounted this practical theological principle since hope is not in something that is tangible now. I’m rather narrow minded in this regard, I know that it is something that I need to allow the Lord to reshape my thinking on. One thing that I see specifically is that there is very little in my life that I do with an excitement and hope. Hope is critical for all life, but sometimes I think I want everything practical, right now, and ‘easy.’ That’s where God comes in 🙂

Romans 5:1-6 really puts things in perspective.

1 Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
2 by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;
4 and endurance, experience; and experience, hope;
5 and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by [the] Holy Spirit which has been given to us:

I find this section of scripture to be stunning. It tells me that due to the shere fact of my salvation by faith I am to have hope, it will be part of what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life as He conforms me into the image of Christ. My lack of thinking about hope does not mean I’m not living with hope, its just an area of my life that I need to be submitting to him rather than just sitting back and saying, “Whatever happens will happen. God’s in control.” Instead I need to have the mindset that, “Whatever will happen will happen because God’s in control and I have access to God and can appeal to Him, His Power, and His Love to hopefully achieve something that is amazing.” Having faith in an all mighty God means that I can pray prayers that He would move the mountains and Hope in Him who can move mountains.

I’ve lost hope in people due to them failing me like I failed them (and trust me, I’ve failed a lot of people). However, I’m decieved if I lose hope in God. fortunately He reminded me about this by having me name my daughter Hope. I have high hopes for Evelyn Hope to become a godly woman. My hope is in God’s work, and not in my own as a man.