ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 13, 2022
In Romans 15:13, we read: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” A few days ago, I read these words and I needed them—specifically, hope, joy and peace. Life can become challenging, and the situations in which we find ourselves can appear grim, leaving us in a state of despair. No matter how lost or trapped we might feel, there is no place the Holy Spirit cannot go. And if you notice in Paul’s words, hope seems to be something the Holy Spirit brings with it. Hope is the necessary tool for us to begin to believe that another option or possibility exists. Too often, there is a feeling as if God is not present, and we convince ourselves that the only place to find God is outside of the current circumstance. And if we feel trapped, then the despair only intensifies. Whether we can perceive it or not, the Holy Spirit is there; fully present; fully engaged. Sometimes our faith needs to convince us of what our overwhelmed perception is unable to see. Sometimes our faith needs to help us break through the barrier of hopelessness so we can comprehend the God who was always there.
May I breathe in your presence
And breathe out all despair.
