As humans, we can agree on something: online shopping has its pros and cons. Pros, avoiding long lines, unlimited supply of whatever desired object you wanted to purchase, and being able to purchase whatever item it is I want from the comfort of my home. Cons, I can perhaps get carried away with this shopping “from the comfort of my home” thing, not knowing what size to purchase— which becomes particularly difficult when purchasing an item online for an event or wedding (stated from experience), and finally: the dreaded waiting.
During my existential questioning about the meaning of life, I came to the conclusion that life is an unlimited amount of constant waiting. Waiting at the grocery store, waiting for your grades, waiting for people to respond to you, or waiting for this dreaded season of everything going wrong to finally end. So, we come down to a question that defines us, what do you do in that period of waiting? I can admit I have a plethora of stories of taking matters into my own hands or worrying while waiting and doing the opposite of waiting graciously and patiently.
For a Christian we know about waiting all too well—we have unlimited promises from Jesus, and we have stories of people waiting for those promises; the Holy Spirit, the Second Coming, even Jesus Himself. Doesn’t it seem like the waiting always happens in the bleakest of times? Like it began lightheartedly, “It’s okay I’ll wait!” and then the time goes on and on and soon you’re lost in despair and frustration. However, there is something embedded with this time of waiting; a glimmer of light, a small ray of sunshine that gives you just enough energy to keep waiting and that small thing is hope. Hope is the anticipation that whatever it is that was promised (or purchased) will be accomplished and come to pass.
I’ve seen the topic of hope pop up in several places and a good example I’ve seen is in Star Wars Rogue One. The Rebellion is at its inception and unfortunately, is about to crumble under “the wait” to the powerful Republic. The main character Jyn Erso pleads with the members to continue having hope because “rebellions are built on hope.” This small glimmer of light is quite a powerful force— it transforms the darkness that seems to enshroud everything and make it a little more bearable and a little less dark. Remnants are built on hope. You and I form part of a group of people that have been promised the greatest of wonders— eternity with Jesus— and we are able to continue along with life’s greatest deceptions because we hope. Jesus made these promises to His people and the disciples were able to place their confidence in them because they knew Jesus and had seen what He had done in the past.
Hope is several things but largest amongst them is the fact that hope is a choice— and “hope does not disappoint” because while we choose to wait—despite troubles and hardships—we keep in mind what God has done for us in the past and use those memories to help us push forward. We may have an unknown future, but during our waiting let us place our hope on a known God.
In conclusion, I have to agree with David in Psalm 27: 13-14:
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and HE shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord.”
Chantal Williams recently graduated from Andrews University as a doctor of physical therapy, and has been involved with Enspire Productions since 2011.
Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash