From my Spiritual Journals
November 25, 2000"The word which God has written on the brow of every man is hope."
- Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo was right about that. When trials come, the first thing that seems to disappear from the discouraged soul is hope. If we, who call ourselves the Lord's are living right, these dear ones will not be left feeling miserable and wretched.
If we're living right, when our paths cross they will see HOPE shining from our eyes, and will soon realize that the hope they see is not a thing, but a very real person- Jesus Christ.
Every one of us has opportunity to bless others, to bring Christ to others by a gentle touch, with encouraging words, a lift up (a helping hand without judgment). The Lord ministered in this way, and still can through us.
"1 Peter 4:10-11"
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
"Hebrews 6:19
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
The world we live in is a very scary place. Millions of people get up each morning and start their day in fear, without friends, are homeless, hungry, in desperate need of a lifeline. Those of us who love the Lord ought to be doing our very best to reflect that hope is Christ.
At our best we will disillusion others, will disappoint them: at our worst we shall surely do this. But if Christ is at the core of our hearts, if we start our mornings asking for him to guide our speech and actions, we can count on Him doing that. He will bless our efforts to bless others.
People coming towards us, I always tell my husband, either know the Lord, or are desperately searching for him. If they know him we'll be blessed with their company; if they don't, we have opportunity to make them rich by allowing them to discover hope through us. Let us not fail the Lord. He is counting on me..on you, on us all.
Barb
"People coming towards us either know the Lord, or are desperately searching for him."--what a powerful statement--really made me stop and think--I love your journal writing, Barb!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dianne. That thought came to me when i was younger, in desperate need of some encouragement. I knew (about God) but did not KNOW him. There is a huge difference. Many people said "I'll pray for you." Others, far too many others criticized and judged me, which of course only made me more depressed and sad, more discouraged. The ones that helped me the most, the ones that made the difference in my life were the men and women who took a personal interest in me. They invited me and my children to dinner, took us on picnics, helped me get clothes for my kids, and mostly never EVER failed to tell me how precious I was to God, how dearly He loved me..how greatly Jesus loved me. I love the thought too. It has helped me view people in a totally different way. Thank you, dear one, for visiting here. I'm hoping as time passes others will too.
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