Strength

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I’m still waiting on a “God spoke to me moment.” But that’s okay, because the strength of my faith in God does not depend on an audible sign, or vision, or wonder, as fantastic as that would be. The muscle of my faith is increased by hope or (in some Biblical translations) waiting.

Believe me, I am very impatient, and hope delivers surprising physical and emotional strength, particularly when it comes to celebrating (even loving) rather than judging people and new ideas as Christmas approaches.

Hope, for me, can be a kind of intensified beacon for discovering God’s presence in the holiday and every day. To paraphrase Isaiah, hope in God’s presence results in action. It often gives me strength to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, to take on the dull as well as challenging and sometimes disappointing life events.

Strength renewed through hope (next to faith and love) is one of God’s greatest resources for me. It’s freedom. It’s a vacation, and it’s a necessity. Merry Christmas! Sylvia Lambert #strength #adventword