SUBMERGEഉദാഹരണം

Hot Coffee

I once heard a pastor answer the question, “What gives you hope?” He said, “That first cup.” He meant his morning cup of coffee. He chuckled before he continued, “…but it always lets me down.”

I know he was being clever and making a joke or a point… or both… probably both, but remembering that story always makes me want to answer that question. I have many answers for what gives me hope, and they depend on my mood, the time of day, whether I’ve had a snack or a nap recently, and any other variables. I long to be consistent but lean toward being wishy-washy and inconsistent. I want to overflow with confidence, faith, courage, hope, and love, but I need coffee, a snack, a nap, and a compliment (or seven) every day just to maintain a sunny disposition, and even then, I struggle.

The good news of the gospel seems to be that our creator is overflowing with grace! I’m so glad because sometimes I’m convinced God is overflowing with disappointment and frustration because of my lack of inconsistency. It turns out that the message of Jesus reminds us that our creator God is full and even spilling over with grace, love, and mercy… consistently.

The Psalmist reminds us that “God’s steadfast love endures forever.” That phrase is repeated 26 times in one Psalm alone (#136). Psalm 130 pairs God's consistent love with God's overflowing redemption. This means that when we are inconsistent, God doesn’t give up on us, and when we make mistakes, they don’t upend or destroy God’s ability or desire to set things right. Therein lies all the hope I need! In Psalm 130, the writer also says he counts on the Lord as the watchmen count on the sunrise. Maybe even like that pastor counts on his cup of coffee! I wonder what gives you hope and what it would mean to put your hope in the God of steadfast love and overflowing redemption. Maybe you would overflow with hope and spill hope everywhere you go, like a barista saying, “Hot coffee coming through!” You can leave a trail of steadfast love as your life overflows with redemption.

God of mercy, God of Grace - Give us hope and show us the way.

Reflection :

What gives you hope?

Has it ever let you down?

Do you believe the things we put our hope in can be made real in the lives we live?

Can you place your hope in the God of steadfast love and overflowing redemption?

Michael Pigg
SNU Class of 1999
SNU Board of Trustees