There is a dictionary definition of hope that says: HOPE: A desire - with expectation of fulfillment. So then, what is desire? Again the dictionary explains that "DESIRE" is a strong impulse to have or be something.
With those definitions in mind, consider these thoughts about hope:
The Hope Diamond- mined in India in 1668, was named (in 1839) after one of its many owners, Henry Hope of England. (Now it is in the Smithsonian, in Washington, D.C.) It is a many faceted jewel with an original weight of 177 grains (112.3/16 carets- now 45.52 carets). In fact, it is one of the largest and most valuable jewels ever mined. But, it has often been reported to bring bad luck to those who possess it. Even so, Evalyn McLean, one of the owners of the Hope Diamond, disregarded those superstitions and said: "What tragedies have befallen me might have occurred had I never seen or touched the Hope Diamond. My observations have persuaded me that tragedies, for anyone who lives, are not escapable."
This, I believe, reveals her strong conviction that where there is life there is hope, regardless of the opinions or superstitions of others.
Regarding hope, in his study of emotional intelligence Daniel Goldman said: “hope means that one will not give in to overwhelming anxiety, a defeatist attitude, or depression in the face of difficult challenges or setbacks. Hope is more than the sunny view that everything will turn out all right; it is believing you have the will and the way to accomplish your goals.”
President Abraham Lincoln understood the value of hope. He knew his hopes would succeed and that numerous setbacks were inevitable before the Civil War could be brought to a victorious close.
In addition, Jesus, when praying in the Garden, knew he was on the path that would soon lead toward God's eternal hope for mankind.
Now, I say: this life is like a jigsaw puzzle. God knows His work wouldn't be complete without us! I don't know about you, but I am an optimist in that I have always had great expectations and confident assurance that most of my desires would eventually be fulfilled.
Now let me say, I have great hope and an enthusiastic hope-filled attitude toward life. That is, I have always trusted and relied on the confident expectation that my desires would be fulfilled. But, let me throw in a qualifier statement.
You see, when I was much younger I guess I had some pretty wild and rather immature hopes and desires. Now I know that they were actually a passing fancy, something I thought I wanted but really didn't want or desire. In other words, I was glad some of those hopes were not realized. What I've learned over the years is something I'd like to pass along to you and it is this:
Before I was a saved believer in Jesus, I had a lot of self-centered desires and hopes. After I was born again, my viewpoint gradually changed to that of a Christian with a heartfelt need, desire and hope to please my Lord. Then, I began to try my best to see things as if I were seeing them through the eyes of Jesus.
Gradually, over a long period of time (I guess I'm a slow learner), I began to submit my desires and hopes to the Holy Spirit and to ask Him for His advice, wisdom and guidance.
Slowly it dawned on me that in order to lead a life that was pleasing to Jesus, I had to learn to put things that were related to: I, me, my and mine in the background and put the Lord's hopes and desires for me - regarding His glory - in the foreground.
Thus, in His gentle way, Jesus showed me that He wanted the things he'd created in me to simply be available to Him for His purposes whenever he needed them. So, at that point it became my hope to always be attentive to the desires and needs of my Lord.
You see, He only made one person, one human being, exactly like me. Therefore, there must be something unique and special about me. Something the Lord needs to make use of today, tomorrow or at some special time in the future. I'm sure it must be something He knows only I can do for Him.
So - now, with this insight in mind, I try my best to keep myself accessible and available to Jesus and His needs. I simply tell Him in my daily prayers, that whatever happens to me in this life, a life where problems are inescapable, I know life goes on. And, where life is -- there -- is hope.
P.S. The Acronym: “H.O.P.E.” can be divided into these four ideas. We can picture Hope as being like a circle that surrounds at least four segments held within the circle:
H = Holy Spirit
O = Opportunity for change
P = Perspective
E = Eternity
QUESTION:With all of this is mind, what is your HOPE for today?
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Terry Weber is a retired advertising/direct mail sales letter copywriter and inventor of several useful items. Terry and his wife Doris are Habitat For Humanity, RV Care-A- Vanners who, for the past eight years have volunteered to help build more than 39 houses all over the USA. They travel to and from the 2- week long builds in their RV. The money they make on their Crafty-Ones website helps them pay their expenses to and from those volunteer Habitat builds. P.S. Due to the high cost of gasoline we can no longer afford to drive the RV to Habitat builds. The RV is parked until gasoline prices come down. (4/28/06)
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