The Church’s first and only woman pope
What is Christian hope?
Photo by Khaled Ali on Unsplash
It is commonly said by others around us, and even perhaps by ourselves, “I hope….(fill in the blank). “I hope the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl.” “I hope I get this new job”. “I hope I can stretch may paycheck to pay the bills”. “I hope my doctor’s report comes back good.” The world’s view of hope is that we want something to happen but we are unsure if it will. Our desired outcome of a situation is what we “hope” will happen in any given circumstance. But, that is not the Christian hope that we all should enjoy and strive to have in our life.
The Oxford Dictionary defines “hope” as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” The second definition, however, is one that is closer to our type of hope. The second definition Oxford gives is “a feeling of trust.’ We, as Christians, trust in something much higher than the world's view of "hope".
It is a beautiful thing to be able to trust the God that created us and everything around us. It is such a comforting thing to know that the God who hung the stars in the sky cares about the tears that fall from our eyes.
“Affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 3:5)
As Christians, our hope comes from the love of Jesus Christ. It is this love flowing from the throne of heaven that gives us a hope the world can never understand. The love of Christ never leaves us. St. Paul writes, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” We can always have hope because we always have the love of Christ.
We are never abandoned by our Father. He loves us with a love that drove the Father to send the Son to die for us. He loves you that much because the Son died for you. “God is love.” (I John 4:8). If, according to St. John, “God is love” then God can never cease to love. If it is impossible for God to stop loving then it is impossible for us to lose the ability to hope in that love.
Yes, would it be fantastic if the Detroit Lions won the Super Bowl this year.? Absolutely! (Go Lions!) Would it be a miracle of your child or your sibling was cured of that cancer? Totally! Would it be a blessing if you got that new job with a higher salary? Certainly!
Our hope is not that of the world where it depends on outcomes. Our hope rests in the One that walks with us through the storm regardless of the outcome. Our hope is the love that never leaves us, never abandons, and will never forsake us. Our hope is grounded in the love that travels with us through this life and into eternity, not stopping with our last breath.
Recommended Stories
More Stories By :
About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
