Jeremiah 31:33
33 …I will put my instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
This is the scripture that Tom began with from his talk this week. He reminded us that hope is not something that we should have when we are in need, or there is something we want. Because God has written on our hearts, and we are his people, we have the opportunity to have hope in our lives at all times. Sometimes it can feel as though there is no hope, or evidence of Gods love in a situation, but we are told unequivocally that he is always there, a part of us, and it is our choice to take him up on his promises.
Likewise, as God's people we have a responsibility to uphold him. We cant determine what direction our lives will take, or of those around us, but what we can do is keep God with us and make our decisions based on love.
We read in Luke that Jesus did not come to earth to be a King or to rule over people. He came to spread a message and to be a ray of light. 2000 year later, he is still the same, but rather than being on earth as a man, he lives within the people who choose to have him.
1 Corinthians 13:13
13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.