LENT: “Holding Hope”

“What you see is what you get.”

“It is what it is.”

“That’s life.”

Our society is full of these sorts of phrases. They indicate that the reality that you perceive, the obvious condition of an item or situation is all there is to it. This sort of pragmatic realism has its place in life. My car is in the shop this week. It’s old. I’ve had it for more than 20 years and it’s surpassed 200,000 miles. The car needs rear brakes and some other things. “Should we make the necessary repairs, or just look for something new?” Do I place my hope in the possibility that these repairs will correct the current problems and I’ll be good for another 30,000 miles? Or, will the problems associated with a car with so many years and miles simply continue to snowball?

I mention my car (which I do plan to repair), but I know this way of thinking permeates many areas of life. In this season of Lent, we allow, and even encourage ourselves to experience challenges, trials, obstacles, and difficulties. Do these experiences lead us to hope or in another direction? Many are familiar with the expression, “it’s always darkest before the dawn,” but do we believe it? When difficult seasons in life rise in front of us, do we despair or stay the course? What does your faith have to say as your journey through challenges and struggles?

This week in worship, we will seek to learn a lesson from Jesus’ parable of the Barren Fig Tree from Luke 13. In this story, a tree has failed to bear fruit year after year. While the owner is frustrated and wants to cut the tree down, the manager of the field hope persists. “Sir, let it alone for one more year” (Luke 13:8), we read.

Are there areas in life or situations we face where it seems easiest to give up and walk away? How can we encourage the persistent reality of hope during these difficult seasons? Maybe you have answers— share them. Maybe you have questions— bring them. May God lead and guide us. I hope to hear from you soon.

Very truly,

Pastor Adam