The Hill
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it,” Isaiah 30:21, NIV.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” Isaiah 40:31, NIV.
I was visiting my brother recently and as he and his wife slept in, I went for a walk. I am familiar with their neighborhood from a driver’s point of view. On foot, the hill I was about to walk was a bit steeper than originally thought. But I was not deterred because I knew it eventually ended. And my reward for climbing this monstrosity was a view with miles of manmade beauty, San Francisco and the Bay Area. I had hope.
My husband and I will occasionally talk about hope and false hope. Is false hope a useful encouragement? Does it give someone authentic encouragement to focus on the 3%, rather than the 97%, is that really hope?
“You do have cancer, but you have a 3% chance of going into remission, not zero.”
For some this is a helpful distraction of compassion. It was for my dad.
However, true hope is more than compassion or a distraction. It’s an unwavering fact of purest belief. For example, I knew my hill could be walked. I knew it would be a challenge, but one that would end at the top with a beautiful view. The hope of seeing this view made every step possible.
As I climbed, I thought of many who are going through their own personal struggles and hardships. And for a moment I was right there with them, praying that God would give them strength and courage, as I walked my own struggle. My hill had triggered my prayer time, and then as I reached the top, it turned into praise and appreciation for a faithful God.
God doesn’t remove our hills and struggles; they unfortunately are a part of life. He does, however, join us in our walks and climbs, and sits with us as we cry. He is a good, good Father.
Are you in the process of climbing up or down your hill? Sometimes it helps to take the focus off of yourself and pray for another who’s struggling.
Father,
Thank You for giving us Your true hope, that there is indeed a future for us with You. That You who have called us will help us see it through to the end, where heaven and glory await us.
Thank You for the hills we have to climb, these strengthen us for the next set of obstacles in our future. And thank You for the flat parts too, that enable us to catch our breath.
We know heaven will be a place of joy, not suffering; and this fact gives us hope as we live out our days and years here on earth. It is a delightful mental exercise to ponder this contrast.
Thank You for Jesus that You conquered sin and death and made all of this possible for us, Your undeserved. You are our truest hope—salvation, sanctification, encouragement, support, ending with an eternity with You. I’m in. All in. Thank You.
Amen.
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