15 Days Left!!!

"...we have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.." (Hebrews 6:18-19)


Hope is one of the three theological virtues (the character qualities associated with salvation). Hope is the expectation and desire of receiving, refraining from despair and capability of not giving up. A lack of hope may give place to despair or cynicism (if you can believe this, that word cynic came from an actual group of people called the Cynics). Cynicism is an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity. Ouch. I think we have all had this feeling at one time or another.

"Hope floats." If a picture could speak to us then I believe that is what this photo is saying. I do not know where that quote derived from, but it sure looks light on the soul. Despair can drag a person down...but hope, it ....floats. Most beautifully and most importantly, hope is a spiritual gift from God. Ahhhh...the nature of our God to give us such a gift!

Did you know that Rhode Island was founded by a Christian man, who thought so much about hope that it is part of their seal? And he took it right from the scripture that is quoted for today. If the writer of Hebrews thought it so much to call hope an anchor of the soul, I always wondered why people would equate hope to floating.

I believe it's because when we get carried away with worry, sorrows, regrets, upsetments, and the cares of life, we need something to "hold us down." What better thing than the "anchor of hope?" Seemingly, when we allow hope to "hold us down", it lightens up the soul and frees us to think, dream, and hope for the very best God has for us.

I am not sure where we all are spiritually speaking on this cold Friday morning (with a snow storm inevitably on its way). But I speak hope over every single person reading this devo, including myself. There are days when I feel that success will never come my way, but the anchor of hope in my soul, that beautiful gift of God, will not allow me to stay in those thoughts. So I free up my soul and let it float...in the Hope of Jesus Christ. Join me?

Blessings and Traveling Mercies to all.

XtremeFaith