THRILL of HOPE - Day 2

“The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices…..”

Looking at the increased measure of joy around us in families, culture, and a global experience is so refreshing. It completely reveals that when the world looks to the results of all Jesus did, things are brighter, calmer, prosperous, and more fun.  Commercialism and social expectations work hard to override that, but every heart is looking for a moment within the holidays that their heart pulls back from the craziness and chaos of life and can take a breath of fresh air.  Almost all the efforts and traditions of this season are working to set up a moment where we get to feel the flood of love, joy, and hope.  We are wanting a minute where all life’s stresses, aches, frustrations, and fears fade away and are eclipsed by a new sense of future and improvement.  It’s the desire for peace that gives our heart rest and a perspective that everything is well and good.  

How amazing that this is the effort of the majority of the earth and it’s centered on the incarnation of God.  Rather someone affirms or denies Jesus, the ramifications of Jesus are effecting all.  It says to us so clearly, that when things of earth respond to Jesus, the longing of our heart is satisfied.  We can actually live the thrill of hope on a day to day bases.  We don’t need December 25^th to be our once a year thrill of hope.  Our weariness can actually be removed in a permanent way. 

Those famous lyrics are obviously not talking about getting rest from a busy day, but that our souls can experience rest from a life of weariness fighting to gain what is only available in Jesus.  Rest from the striving to be “ok” and prove our worth by producing enough.  The thrill of hope is the experience of God as Father that reveals His goodness and our place with Him as sons.  We awaken to it being Him that came toward us.  He came and brought us into His house.  We are welcome in His heart and He carries us there.  He accepts us, affirms us, settles us, likes us, and pours the fullness of love on us.  This is what removes weariness.  This is what we celebrate in this global focus on hope, light, life, joy, and peace.  We are thrilled that this is our constant reality.