"Hope"
I can’t help but to reflect upon the financial struggles facing most
every family in America. I wonder how our financial situations have gotten so bad. I think a lot of what has happened
in our nation to place us in this predicament is that we have gotten away from some of the basic fundamentals that have made
us such a proud nation. I believe we have strayed away from the fundamental Christian principle that tells us that it
is “greater to serve than be served.” We have temporarily lost the concept that it is more “blessed
to give than to receive.” I know that things seem bleak however the one foundational truth that must be proclaimed
over and over to all of us is that God loves the world so much that he promises that he is always there for us. He sealed
that promise by sending Jesus to offer us forgiveness and restoration. He continues to offer us his promises through
the sending of his Holy Spirit to reign in us. God has planted into each of us the gifts of faith, hope, trust, and
love. The Bible shares with us the promise that encourages us to put our hope in God, “who richly provides us
with everything.” (1 Timothy 6: 17) Our economy is struggling. People are losing their jobs, businesses
are closing and people are struggling, but all hope is not lost. You see the one thing that has bound us together as
a people is our faith in God. I am constantly amazed at how the people of America pull together in times of crisis.
You see love for each other is what binds us together and helps to assist each other through the trials of life. I came across a heart warming story that confirms the
truth that giving brings joy to both those who are the recipients of the gift as well as those who give. Generous giving
is one way of providing hope for those who feel hopeless.
Once when
I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family
between us and the ticket counter. This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under
the age of 12. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money. Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean.
The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line,
two-by- two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts
they would see that night. One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be a highlight of their
young lives.
The father and mother were
at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if
to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and basking in pride, looking at her as if to reply,
"You got that right."
The ticket
lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets
and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady quoted the price. The man's wife let
go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How
much did you say?"
The ticket lady
again quoted the price. The man didn't have enough money. How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he
didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?
Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (We were
not wealthy in any sense of the word!) My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said,
"Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."
The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking,
embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly
onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you,
sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."
My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn't go to the circus that night, but we didn't go without.
Perhaps, at times, we need to be reminded that sometimes
self sacrifice is the greatest present of all. Gifts given out of love for Christ serve to offer hope to many who feel
hopeless. Where is Christ calling you to offer hope? What will you do to be an agent of hope?
Pastor Steve
