Unshakeable Hope
By Ryan Dawson
“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
The Christmas season often brings a sense of hope: hope for peaceful gatherings, joyful celebrations, and meaningful moments. Yet, if we're honest, we often place our hope in things that can falter—like our favourite sports teams having a winning season. True story - it’s been hard to be a Sens fan this year because their play on the ice has been so up and down. As thrilling as it is to cheer on a championship run or at least a shot at the playoffs, the hope we feel watching our team is fleeting, tied to results that often don’t last.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 15:13, directs us to a hope that is eternal and unshakable. He points us to the "God of hope," who doesn’t merely offer temporary optimism but fills us with joy and peace as we trust in Him. This hope isn't dependent on outcomes, performance, or circumstances; it’s grounded in the very character of God, which never changes.
At Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. His birth, life, death, and resurrection secured a hope that doesn’t waver with the seasons or the scoreboard. Through Christ, we have been set free from bondage to the law and the power of sin, adopted into God’s family, empowered by the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 4:4-7) so we can live with an abundance of hope that transforms our lives and spills over into the lives of others. Just as a team victory brings excitement to its fans, Christ’s victory over sin and death gives us cause for greater celebration—a hope that lasts not for a season but for all eternity.
This Christmas, as you enjoy the festivities and perhaps cheer for your favorite team, take a moment to reflect on the true hope we have in Jesus Christ. Unlike the fleeting highs and lows of worldly pursuits, this hope anchors our souls and fills us with lasting joy and peace. So let's trust in the God of hope this season, remembering that through our relationship with Christ, our hope is secure. May this hope inspire us to live in a way that reflects Christ’s love and light to a world longing for something real and unshakable.
Merry Christmas, Ryan
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and the hope that His birth brings. Help us to trust in You, the God of hope, and to experience the joy and peace that come through faith in You. May we overflow with hope by the power of Your Spirit and share this hope with those around us. Amen.
“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
The Christmas season often brings a sense of hope: hope for peaceful gatherings, joyful celebrations, and meaningful moments. Yet, if we're honest, we often place our hope in things that can falter—like our favourite sports teams having a winning season. True story - it’s been hard to be a Sens fan this year because their play on the ice has been so up and down. As thrilling as it is to cheer on a championship run or at least a shot at the playoffs, the hope we feel watching our team is fleeting, tied to results that often don’t last.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 15:13, directs us to a hope that is eternal and unshakable. He points us to the "God of hope," who doesn’t merely offer temporary optimism but fills us with joy and peace as we trust in Him. This hope isn't dependent on outcomes, performance, or circumstances; it’s grounded in the very character of God, which never changes.
At Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. His birth, life, death, and resurrection secured a hope that doesn’t waver with the seasons or the scoreboard. Through Christ, we have been set free from bondage to the law and the power of sin, adopted into God’s family, empowered by the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 4:4-7) so we can live with an abundance of hope that transforms our lives and spills over into the lives of others. Just as a team victory brings excitement to its fans, Christ’s victory over sin and death gives us cause for greater celebration—a hope that lasts not for a season but for all eternity.
This Christmas, as you enjoy the festivities and perhaps cheer for your favorite team, take a moment to reflect on the true hope we have in Jesus Christ. Unlike the fleeting highs and lows of worldly pursuits, this hope anchors our souls and fills us with lasting joy and peace. So let's trust in the God of hope this season, remembering that through our relationship with Christ, our hope is secure. May this hope inspire us to live in a way that reflects Christ’s love and light to a world longing for something real and unshakable.
Merry Christmas, Ryan
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and the hope that His birth brings. Help us to trust in You, the God of hope, and to experience the joy and peace that come through faith in You. May we overflow with hope by the power of Your Spirit and share this hope with those around us. Amen.