I memorized that verse in elementary school for a speaking competition at the school, but it wasn't until a few days ago that I thought about the word in the middle of those three.
We talk about faith a lot as believers. Faith is believing, and trusting, even when you can't see. Faith is what we profess when we show the world He saved us. Faith is very important.
Love is...well, I can't say it better than Paul did....it's the greatest. It's the reason we're even allowed to have faith. "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us." We are loved.
But it's not often that I've stopped to think about hope. When I was dating David, I knew that we would someday be here. I had faith that God had shown me His will for my life. I don't think I did a very good job of hoping for David. I didn't let God give me the peace that He will give along with the calm, trusting desire of hope.
After years of hearing people say, "Don't get your hopes up", I have come to view hope as something I don't deserve. That's not what God wants for me. I felt Him say this clearly to me as I drove home the other day. I stopped and thought, "Why NOT hope?" Hope is from God. Hope is trust in Him that what desires He has placed in my heart will come to their fruition. Hope is powerful.
I know that it's not all about what we want, or what we think we need, and that's not what I mean by hope. But I've realized that it's ok to hope with all my heart for the things that I pray to my Father about, as long as it's also a humble hope, and a trusting hope in His will.
Today I will make the choice to simply and unabashedly......hope.
