Blessed to Limp

Everyone has experienced the consequences of false hope. That's because hope is different from choosing what you want. C. S. Lewis said, "Most people, if they really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that what they want acutely cannot be had in this world." Eventually everyone gets to a crossroads in life where they come face to face with God and reality.

 

          Jacob faced uncertainty the night before he was to meet his brother. As he tried to sleep, Genesis 30:24 tells us a man wrestled with him until daybreak, but Jacob refused to let the man go. Then the man informed him his name would now be “Israel, because you struggled with God and have overcome.” 

          Jacob would carry a permanent reminder of experiencing God and being blessed by him. The angel of God touched the socket of his hip, resulting in a permanent limp. This experience would strengthen Jacob's hope for a future blessed by God to be passed on to his children who were receptive to trusting in the God of hope.  

Spiritual Integrity: Hope for the Family - Part 2

If you were to take stock right now, what would you say is your most important life concern? The majority of people say family takes first place, but  prayer is needed to alleviate the anxiety that comes with facing an uncertain future. Hope for the future tends to diminish where pessimism and negativity are allowed to gain a foothold, for these indicate an attitude of hopelessness.

Integrity anchored in faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ provides hope for the future. Integrity under-girds a belief that God faithfully supplies a good  purpose for our existence at every stage of development. Growth, change, and discovery become a never-ending process for those who maintain hope and are willing to participate in what God has to offer.

St. Paul put it this way, "For this reason we do not give up. Even though on the outside it looks as if things are falling apart, our spiritual self is being renewed day after day." Our integrity gets a boost when we put into action what we believe and know to be true of God's faithfulness, mercy, and compassion. 

Uncertainty to Assurance: Giving and Gaining - Part 3

By the time most adults hit their mid-thirties, the realities of life have begun to sink in. Most often we used self-deception to keep these realities at bay. We do this to avoid the normal pain each of us must face just for living. One reality that hits hard is that we all make mistakes. These mistakes can be costly, not only physically or financially, but emotionally.

The consequence for making mistakes is often embarrassment. Anger is a common response that tries to hide grief and sorrow. So many people think their big mistake was in their choice of a career or spouse. Instead of facing mistakes, we frequently use a form of self-deception by believing, "Someday my life will change, things will get better."

Choose to change by giving up self-deception. While mistakes are common, they can produce positive good. Be honest. How is this person or job beneficial, even a blessing? God is in the business of giving you hope, a change of heart, and a new spirit. Be open to what God can provide.  

Uncertainty to Assurance: Giving and Gaining - Part 1

The account of the rich ruler in Luke 18 is important for all people regardless of wealth, power, or position. Possessions were not enough to provide lasting fulfillment. This man was seeking assurance that success and wealth could not generate. He realized that success was not enough to sustain indefinitely a sense of joy and peace.  

          This individual was standing at a crossroad in need of change. He looked to Jesus for direction. When Jesus told him to give away all he possessed to the poor and follow him, he became very sad because that was a choice he refused to make. He failed to understand that all his talents and gifts, his wealth and power came from God.

          Your hope for eternal life and immortality comes from what you can give away, primarily giving your life to Christ Jesus, then following him. God intended for you to give to the next generation and to others your knowledge and wisdom, your love and faith that were God's gifts to you. Jesus said this was laying up treasures and wealth in heaven.