Reading through Job 4-6 this morning makes me think about hope, and the role we play as people who bring hope to those who have none.

Eliphaz could have provided Job with a sense of hope, but instead, he put the blame for his current circumstances on Job’s shoulders. He planted seeds of doubt instead of seeds of hope. He says to job, “What innocent man has ever perished?” accusing Job of not being innocent. It’s not sound wisdom. It’s not encouraging. He offers no hope. (And if Eliphaz really needs an answer to that question, we’ve got one.)

As we venture out in service to our community, we’re being given not just the option, but the responsibility of bringing hope to the desolate and despondent people we serve. We have the opportunity to speak hope into the lives of the homeless, the incarcerated, orphans, single mothers, and all in our community that we serve. We’re to be a light in a dark world.

Even in every day conversation with friends we’ve known for years, with those who have faith and eternal hope as Job did, a little hope and encouragement goes a long way. A kind word, a smile, a simple touch can cut through the junk that tries to drag us down and can encourage, lift up, and give hope.

Walk into a dark room and flip on the lights. The darkness retreats.

What kind of seeds are you planting?

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We received word from the team in Addis with an update…
We have now been here for 3 days and have had a blast hanging out with the change boys.  There has been a lot of changes in Addis since we were last here, they have made it illegal to beg and have moved out the [...]

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Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
I am so compelled to worship God after reading an update from one of our missionaries on the ground in Haiti.  I can not think of any song more pleasing to God than the one in this brief story. [...]

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