Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Gotta Have Hope

Artists are often portrayed as being melancholy, aloof, and raging against conventional thought/norms.  There is some truth to some of these characteristics for some artists.  Stereotypes such as these rarely can be applied across the board.   I have a stereotype of artists that might challenge most.....HOPEFUL!  I believe artists are some of the most hope filled people you will ever meet.  They hope to convey their ideas, opinions, dreams, and beliefs through their work.  They hope that they will be able to share these works with others in a variety of settings.  They hope that others will "get" their point of view.  The hope that they can make a living doing what they love.  They hope that they will be respected for their work.  They hope that they will be able to continue to grow & develop as artists.  They hope their work will be known.  They hope they will be known.  They hope they will live to see all the previous hopes!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Romans 15:13

As believers, we should be known for our hope.  If anyone had a reason for hope...it should be those of us who know God & know that we are His.  Unfortunately, I often find that many believers are known for their worries, stress, and negativity.  Hope can not thrive in an environment of worries/stress/negativity.  The hope we have does not exist because we will get everything we want & never endure struggle.  Our hope is in trusting God.  Not only will we have hope in Him...but our hope will OVERFLOW by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If we can overflow with hope, those around us will be impacted by that hope!  Don't we want that?  Shouldn't our lives make a difference because of the hope that we have?  

Dear Lord, 

Help me to find my hope in you.

When worries, stress, and negativity try to overwhelm me...

may I remember who you are & who I am in you.  

May my life reflect that hope & impact those I come in contact.  

AMEN