Having COVID stinks. There I said it. My heart goes out to all who suffered much worse and to those families who lost loved ones to this horrible virus. 

Yes like most people, I was wishing 2022 would be different somehow. Maybe it will be, but not quite yet.

Instead of wishing, I need to turn my attention towards hope.  Wishing is a time waster. Last week when I was sick, I spent some of that time wishing that I felt better. Honestly, that was not going to change a dang thing. Instead, I focused on resting and taking care of myself. (That is way more productive than wishing my way through life.)

Wishing for a better year will have no effect on our future whatsoever. However, I do have hope! That is way different than wishing. 

What is hope you ask? The author of Hebrews defines it quite well.

This is what they wrote…

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2

If hope (according to the author of Hebrews) is being sure of what hasn’t happened yet (but promised) and confidence in that which we do not see, then we have reason to be optimistic!

Let’s be clear, we can’t have hope in everything. The scope of hope is limited to the realm of God. Everything outside of that is wishful thinking no matter how probable something might be.

I cannot hope for a better year because that is not promised. However, I do have hope that the Church will do great things in Jesus’ name in 2022 because Jesus promised this…

…and on this rock (of a truth that Jesus is the Son of God) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18

I have hope that we can do great things together under the banner of God’s name in the most difficult of circumstances. If we can prevail over the gates of hades, we can overcome a lot!

We can’t control much, but we know who does… Jesus! I put my trust and hope in the one who rose from the dead. He promised he would rise in three days and guess what? He did! 

Whatever this year will bring, I will trust him. We will keep Jesus the number one thing at church and in our lives. He will never steer us wrong, especially when the future is uncertain. 

God bless,
Pr. Ben