By Greg Yee, Superintendent, PacNWC
So many times in life, my own brokenness or the brokenness in our world can stifle my soul. For me, even though God continues to refine me, I struggle with lack of faith, idolatry, and not living in the power of the Holy Spirit as God’s son. I can also feel defeated or easily discouraged as I hear about senseless injustices, shocking violence, or widespread desperation in our world. In these moments I often find myself turning to Isaiah 43:19, Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert… That prophecy speaks to us today and also points ahead. I am then led to the description of our end-game, the closing scene in Revelation 21:5 where we hear the voice of God himself, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” That’s incredible hope for today, Friends. God is at work!
I saw this hope as I joined the 5,000 students and attendees at CHIC two weeks ago. Scores of students stood up to make commitments to Jesus. There was hope as they made commitments toward lives and ministries of loving mercy and doing justice. I wept with joy as I watched these young people worship with reckless abandon and seek God’s face!
Hope poured in as I was with City of Rain Covenant Church (Kent/Pastor Andrey Khilchenko) yesterday as they met with a church demographically very different from them once a month this past year. The fellowship was sweet and so contagious. During the prayer and healing time, my cup was filled as we prayed and anointed real people with real problems/hurts/longings as we all experienced the very real presence of God!
I’m overwhelmed with hope as I heard the story of one of our pastors whose son has come back to Jesus after too many years of wandering. And for me, hope is present after decades of conversations with a family member about Jesus, that after my wife’s faithful commitment to her and after my 13 year old asked her last week if she believed in God, she is closer than ever before to surrendering her life to Jesus!
I am filled with hope as I hear from so many of you that are just living the gospel is so many small and large ways – in so many hidden/faithful but powerful ways. As we endure this unusual heat wave, may you find timely belief in the God of green pastures and cool waters.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).