Looking for Hope, Longing for Joy

It is relatively easy to look at the world today and believe that hope is fading. We start to feel that joy is something that you find as a child and lose as an adult.

Hope is not fading. Hope shines as bright today as it did over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born. The things of this world attempt to cover it up.

We fall down sometimes... Each time is harder to get back up. Each failure causes us to cover up hope's shining light more and more. What we fail to realize (or forget) is that it is at those moments that we need to cling to this hope even more. Hope is not fading; we are just failing to uncover what Christ has to offer.

Joy isn't something we can lose, but we can fail to embrace it. When Christ comes in your life joy comes with Him.

People confuse joy and happiness. Happiness is circumstantial. We can very easily lose our happiness based on the situation. Joy, on the other hand, is always present. Joy is knowing in your heart that you have a purpose... that your life has meaning... that we were all "fearfully and wonderfully made" by our amazing Creator.

So, when you feel that your hope is fading and your joy is nowhere to be found, look up. Let hope shine down on your face and embrace the warmth of joy.

God is everywhere... you just have to want to see Him.