Contrast

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, " 
  - Ephesians 1:18

I couldn't help but reflect on the contrast of two things this week.  One being the start of the advent season.  The second being the end of the year blues.

Advents starts with the amazing topic of "Hope." Christmas brings hope.  Jesus brings hope. Our ministries should provide hope.  Our everyday lives should show hope to others.

That's just it.  The contrast arises in my questioning my very purpose.  Am I really making a difference?  Have I successfully engaged others to show them this hope and subsequently pointed them to the gospel?  Do I really hope myself; I mean really?  Is my life producing any real results?  I suppose it's not so bad, but I can see why the holiday season heightens so many people's despair and depression.  What a contrast.

  Lighting a candle representing "hope" will not suffice.  Being positive and optimistic falls short.  Being reminded of hope should point us to a deeper hope; a hope that defines our innermost desire to believe and follow Jesus and overflow this hope into others lives.  We need to do more than tie a knot at the end of our hope-rope.

This advent, let us not just light a hope candle, but dig into our hope and allow God to develop and grow our hope so that it overflows from our lives.  The rest of world could use a little more real hope.