The Path to Hope
“Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
My imagination comes alive reading this excerpt from a poem by Emily Dickinson. It pulls together two loves of mine: beautiful writing and steadfast hope. I can imagine hope flying, perching, and singing like a songbird. I love the idea of hope perching in my soul, not stopping, but enduring.
We can put our hope in a lot of things: people, circumstances, our desires. But do you know that hope placed in God is another matter altogether? It’s strong. It’s confident. It’s an anchor for our soul.
Hope is a confident expectation in God and His Word.
Who do you know that is full of hope? I bet they see the world through a lens of faith trusting God to work for their good in difficult circumstances. Their sights are set on heaven where God will bring justice and glory to our world. And this assurance … they KNOW in their bones.
These heroes of the faith have likely been through a hefty trial or two. Their faith has been tested and they’ve experienced God as he says he is … strong, faithful, and closer than a brother. Do you know their stories? He’s made Himself real to them, so real, there is no doubt. Now, God is not like a fairy godmother or godfather granting every wish, but He’s good, so good. In fact, His love never fails.
If you read the verse below, it talks about how we can glory in our suffering, not for suffering's sake, but because of its result. And what is the result of our suffering?
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ”
If you have hope, can you trace it back to suffering? Or, if you are presently suffering, will you press on knowing God will keep you through your trials and transform you into a person full of perseverance, character, and hope? Stay strong and keep your faith.
Perhaps someday, our hope, though forged in the fire and as tough as nails, will be able to sing, carefree as a bird, perched in our soul.