My Hope Is In You

As I sit down to write this blog entry, I realize that it has been almost exactly one year since my last post.  What in the world has happened? . . . LIFE!  Within the last year, I continued teaching, working on my Graduate Degree, and spending time being a devoted wife & aunt.  All to which I added the addition of becoming a coach.  My husband and I now coach the local high school ski team together and we're sure that God wants us to be reaching these kids.  On the flipside, such a great responsibility brings about countless hours of organization, reflection, stress, and busyness.

I'm not making excuses; in fact, I am admitting that nothing in life should be an excuse for growing distant from the Lord.  Unfortunately, this is exactly what I allowed to happen.  Another momentous event this year was that a close coworker of mine was diagnosed with inoperable cancer.  The news has devastated our school and community.

While many of us are struggling with the news of her diagnosis, she is a testament to God's grace in how she is handling the events.  Her faith, strength, and peace are admirable.  Upon reflecting, I realized that I need to rely on God as surely as my coworker is.  I was reminded of my need to put my hope in him.   

Psalm 91:2 (NIV) I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

This scripture verse is a reminder of how our trust, our faith, and our hope needs to be in God.  It can't be satisfied by being busy, being successful, building relationships, or anything else in this world.  Nothing in our lives can replace the sense of fulfillment that we receive from a strong relationship with Christ. 

He is our refuge.  He our sustainer and healer.  He is our Lord.

As I was reflecting about my dear coworker and sending off a card to her in the mail, I found this song on the internet.  It's funny how God can bring something to you at just the right time.  It has been playing nonstop on my laptop since I heard it. 

My Hope Is In You by Aaron Shust    I meet with You and my soul sings out as Your word throws doubt far away.  I sing to You and my heart cries, "Holy! Hallelujah!  Father, You're near!"  My hope is in You, Lord, all the day long.  I won't be shaken by drought or storm.  A peace that passes understanding is my song and I sing My hope is in You, Lord.  I wait for You and my soul finds rest.  In my selfishness, You show me grace.  I worship You and my heart cries, "Glory!  Hallelujah!  Father, You're here!"  My hope is in You, Lord, all the day long.  I won't be shaken by drought or storm.  A peace that passes understanding is my song and I sing My hope is in You, Lord.  I will wait on You.  You are my refuge.  My hope is in You, Lord. 

This song and scripture verse are testaments of our need to put all of our hope in Him.  When we give Him our all, He gives us a peace that we can't even comprehend.  Even though it's hard to remember when we are bombarded with all the distractions in our lives, it's the only way to survive.   

We Will Not Go

Recently, I came across an Old Testament story that I've heard so many times before.  It is the story of Moses leading God's people out of Egypt.  You know the story: the slaves are freed, miraculously cross the Red Sea, enter the Promised Land.  That's the story we're all taught, right? 

Actually, before Moses led the people to the promised land, they first spent time worshiping God in the middle of the desert!  We usually pass over this part and skip right to the reward of the Promised Land.  That is, after all, the final destination; but what about the journey to get there? 

Exodus 13:20-22 (NIV)  After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.  By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. 

God didn't want to just bring His people to a wonderful place; He wanted to bring them closer to Him.  To do this, they needed to make a pit stop in the vast sands of the desert, not in the land that flows with abounding gifts.  If we were in a beautiful place, would we really stop to think about how God's grace got us there?  If we are always focused on rewards (money, friends, success), we lose sight of what is truly important: our relationship with the God of the universe! We need to remember that our goal is to draw near to our Creator - our goal is not to just reap rewards from Him. 

Fire by Night Cloud by Day (We Will Not Go) by Kelly Minter   Fire by night, cloud by day; our God will lead the way. Desert sand or promised land; our God will lead the way. Forever we will follow, no matter what tomorrow holds. We will not go, we will not move, we will not walk without Your presence. We will wait for You. The great I Am, almighty God, we are desperate for Your presence. And without You, we will not go. Troubled soul when darkness comes; our God will lead the way. Joyful heart when blessings flow; our God will lead the way.

Don't depart for the Promised Land without God in your life.  Life's rewards will be meaningless if you don't have a relationship with the One who gave them to you.  Remember that He is always with you, even if you feel you are stuck in the middle of a desert searching for those Promised Lands...