God Has Called You to Hope

Sustaining Hope
Dark Nights of the Soul

Hope Satisfies

Ephesians 1:11-19  The Message

^11-12 It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
^13-14 It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
^15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

 
For Reflection
The eternal question;  "Who am I?"  In faith in God we find an answer.  All other responses sound empty.  Only in God do we find sustaining hope.  Hope that drives us to living a fulfilling, satisfying, life; a life lived in confident expectation of tomorrow.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving to the living God.  Pray for courage and faith in the present and future promise of God.  Pray for the fulfillment of the promise of the Kingdom of God.