This Is Hope

(I'll be sharing a design project or two next week, but today I wanted to take the time to write. Lately this blog has been full of design inspiration, which is its main purpose. Yet I don't want to forget the importance of words, even on a design blog. So today I wanted to share some words.)

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One thing that I've been mulling over during this time is hope, the truth that regardless of my circumstances, I can place my trust in God.

My hope is in you, Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by
Drought or storm
The peace that passes understanding
Is my song
My hope is in you, Lord
(aaron shust)

Those words have needed to be my theme song lately. I'm learning, slowly, gradually, that I can indeed hope in God because of who is he and because of what he has done and promises to do. This hope is unshakable. Not drought, storm, or anything else can move it.

But sometimes I don't feel so unshakable. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed that any little thing could push my emotions over the edge. That's when I need to have a good cry, remember that God is with me, and choose to hope in him. It's not an easy journey and it's not a one time decision. If I'm going to hope in God, I have to keep reminding myself of it every day. Every hour. Probably every minute.

One Scripture that has encouraged me so much is Psalm 57:2. It's only 15 short words, but it encompasses the place I'm in right now so completely:

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Yes, there are times when I need to cry out for help. But I can cry to God Most High, to the God who knows all about me and promises to fulfill his purpose for me. I can hope because of that. Because of who God is—the all-wise, loving Father of my life. I don't know how, but he will fulfill his purpose for me.

This is the God who we cry out to. The God who hears every prayer. The God who keeps his promises. The God who sent his only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for all our sins with his blood on the cross. This is the God who we hope in.