hope in the face of "life"

i recently had the opportunity to preach on hope (1 pet 1:1-8,13). it us always a fearful task and privilege to preach, and at times, it's an even bigger joy to prepare. there is conviction, joy, worship, digging and discovery of Godly jewels (ps 19:7-10).

making decisions that have "HOPE IN GOD" written all over them.

that was one of my points and probably the one i was most challenged by during my preperation.

how can my wife and i make decisions, as a unit/community/ministry, that have "HOPE IN GOD" written all over them? even in the little, everyday things that don't require us to leave the house, how can we stamp, "my hope is not found here but with Him" on all that we do? 

"I'd rather not wash these dishes or scoop out this cat poop, but. . .my hope is in the fact that one day I will be with Him and cat poop and dishes pale in comparison to that glorious day so. . .i'll scoop the poop and i'll be hopeful while doing it!"

sounds simple and almost trivial but at times, that's how i try to flesh out my present and future hope of glory. we're called to glorify God and give Him thanks in all that we do (1 cor 10:31; col 3:17); being thankful and looking forward to Glory while carrying out our everyday things is how it works. here's an example:

my wouldn't start the other day. consequently i was going to be late for work so i made a phone call to let my superior know. i hooked the jumper cables to my car and without knowing (my battery isn't marked) i reversed the polarity and melted my cables. . .ahhhhggggghhhh! luckily there was a man in the parking lot who gave me a jump and soon i was on my way to work.

now, i enjoy listening to the radio on my way to work but, when i screwed up the jumper cables i must've shorted a fuse. . .the fuse to my radio. i drove to work in silence. i paused and said, "okay, why did i go through all that? was it to have my radio short? where is the thankfulness in this situation soul? luckily i had my fighter verse next to me (duet 7:8) and then it hit me, "i can memorize my fighter verse at the lights and recite aloud on the way to work! there it is!!!"

by God's grace, i had a hopeful and thankful ride to work.

press on and continue to lean on the hope that is set before us.

rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer - rom 12:12