What was the thought of Hope that you awakened to, today?

What was the thought of Hope that you awakened to, today? 

As the news daily sends nothing but disaster around our city, across the world in foreign nations, and the loss of faith with too many  Christians.  

We could close our eyes or put ear plugs in to avoid listening to all the negativity that seems to surround us, or we could listen to God in our heart and rely on his comfort of hope in spite of what appears to drown out his presence.

Even when circumstances may become for some a closed door to our future we must look beyond the horizon of what we can’t see to the reality that God is in control of our everyday walk and the accomplishments each of us is contributing for the growth of faith in the world.  Yes, I said our contribution to extending faith to someone who is struggling to know why to a positive look of thanks for someone saying, writing, or presenting God’s word to them.  

Never think that your efforts to reach others is just a thought that may not go anywhere.  Remember the adage that throwing a stone into the air changes the pattern of movement somewhere and because of your being part of extending hope can actually land on the ears, eyes, or sentiments of someone who is lost in their faith.  

When writing for God via reaching out with a background that has prepared me, it is easy at times to question the possibility of being successful in at least touching one person in need of my words.  The answer to that is the Holy Spirit is in complete control in the fact that our efforts are not simply just human thoughts, they are God’s way of evangelizing through man to man.  

Like the role that Paul explains:  “What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul?  Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.  Therefore, neither the one who plants and the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.  The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive in proportion to his labor.  For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God's Building.”  (1 Cor 3: 5 - 9).

As ministers of the word, preachers, writers, or teachers, we are called as witnesses of God to many we may never know, and even one soul receiving our efforts will be thankful to God for us. 

The one common distraction a preacher or writer may hear is “who do you think you are, one who is a sinner and pretending to speak for God?”  This is the very method Satan will use to dissuade any of us who use our talents to get the word out.  Do not allow that scenario to overtake your giftedness.  

Ralph B. Hathaway