Hope Bearing

In the sermon this week, Stephen shared about the concept of ‘hope’ found in the Hebrew word tikvah (תִּקְוָה).

This word denotes hope as an almost tangible thing – a physical rope or lifeline that is able to be grasped and held onto in times of hardship or need. To be hopeless in this sense is to have your tikvah cut off, with nothing in your hands to hold onto.
At these times, being someone’s ‘hope-bearer’ becomes even more important. It is the ability to hold onto and grasp someone’s hope for them when they feel their own grasp is empty.

Alex Sandison sent this poem to me in an email Sunday afternoon. For someone who ‘doesn’t write poetry', he was moved to pen these thoughts:

Hope bearer
Hope is a sewer rat, stubborn and resilient, 
and yet there are times when hope is hidden, 
down the rat hole, hiding away.

Hope bearing
Hope is nowhere to be found, not now
Hope is gone, despair is here, all around
Hope is something I just can’t see, not now
The Psalmist tells us, offer our despair to God
Offer Him our despair, no hope needed there.
I look around, I see no hope, but something dimly lit

Hope bearer
Seeking not hope, I see a hope bearer instead
One who will hold hope for me, in silence and in pain
Bearing hope for me, not with me, but on my behalf.
What a gift, one who holds hope, waiting, for me
The bearer of hope, waiting, waiting for me.
Waiting for me to be ready, to look for hope myself.
Holding the hope, waiting
Waiting for the day I ask, 
Where is hope?
What a gift, to be the hope bearer
Walking in pain, through the valley, with another.
Holding the hope we know and share
For when you are ready to hear it again.
I hold hope for you, waiting for your call
Hope bearer

Until that time, I carry the burden of holding your hope
Of holding your hope, and holding my peace, 
Hope bearing, through, and through pain
Of waiting until it is time.
To share the hope again.

How does this resonate with you? Can you identify times God has gifted you people as ‘hope-bearers’? Can you identify people in your life now that God is asking you to be their gift of ‘hope-bearing’?

Colleen