The Rope of Hope
Hope: a word we often hear, but seldom think to offer someone wrapped in paper with a bow on top. Rarely do we think hope is a gift. Like a golden ribbon connecting us to heaven. We all carry this hope in Jesus, yet how often do we extend this rope for someone else to grip onto?
I am sure during this time of self-isolation you have been holding onto hope for various things. Whether that be a hope that God’s protection is over your family. Or perhaps a hope you will keep your job. Or perhaps even a hope that the world will resume to its normality sooner rather than later. I certainly have.
For many of us, we find our hope anchored in Jesus. It is steadfast. It is unchanging. We are able to hold tight to His Promises, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). We know full well that He is in control and that fear has no grip on us because “He is the Lord our God who takes hold of our right hand” (Isaiah 41:13) who will protect and comfort us. We are firmly rooted in Him, “holding unwaveringly to the hope we profess, for He is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23) through all things.
For others, this truth may not be a conscious reality… what does their hope look like? In what and whom are they looking to?
Recently, the Lord placed on my heart what it looks like to reach people whose hope is sparse. He spoke to me about hope being like a rope (yes, I know it rhymes); a thread connecting us to heaven. We, the people of His church get to be where heaven meets earth. Quite literally and frankly. How wonderful… take a moment to meditate on that.
Jesus chose us, you and I, to be set apart and deliver his gift of hope to someone. Think of yourself like a postman with the best gift you could ever deliver, the hope of life with Jesus.
Over the past few weeks a team of us have been privileged to deliver hope in a very practical way. LOVE THIS CITY has been partnering with the Gold Coast Convention Centre to cook and distribute thousands of meals to our neighbourhoods. We are ever so thankful for your hearts to give faithfully, even when you are unable to physically ‘go’ yourself. Please know your gift in dollars becomes the thread of hope connecting them to heaven.
My heart wishes you were there to experience the joy of the recipient. If I could paint a brief picture for you, I would say that gratitude would be an understatement. It is pure joy, laced in gladness. And almost a sigh of relief that someone would reach a hand out to say, “We see you. We care about you. How can we help you?”
I feel so humbled to have witnessed this.
God definitely has and continues to teach me about the depth of His love. Specifically, how He loves everyone so uniquely. For every individual, a meal communicates a message unique to them. Whether that is: provision, an answered prayer, or instilling value, they are all a reflection of hope.
So all in all, thank you for allowing us to do (in a practical way) what we love doing. Which is of course loving God and loving people. And in return receiving the best thing anyone could ask for… a smile.
A sparkle of hope in exchange for a sparkle joy.
Colisha