Good afternoon! Our Advent Devotional for today comes to us from Brad Thompson. Many of you know Brad from his previous role as the Director of Student Activities, where he oversaw many of the wonderful large scale events that are a treasured part of the TCU experience, or from the tremendous work he’s done to plan events for the University’s sesquicentennial. A few months ago Brad pivoted into a new role at TCU as the Executive Director of Community Projects and University Events, where he will continue his great work of creating many of the special moments in the life of this University. In his work Brad often takes a vision that seems impossible and he finds a way to make that vision come to life. That takes a skill set a lot of us don’t have, but it also takes a lot of HOPE. I trust you will appreciate the vulnerability of his words for us today, and find comfort in knowing that while HOPE doesn’t always feel easy to find or hold onto, it doesn’t mean that it’s absent.
Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
I will admit, this has been a long season of feeling hopeless. Through personal struggle, the year has felt more dark than bright at times, and there have been days where it seems like there won’t be any resolution, and ultimately no hope. Maybe you feel that way, or am I the only one?
This verse has reminded me over and over again about what we should put our hope in. God. Not the things of this world, not people, not things. As our society consumes and celebrates receiving this season, those things will ultimately fade. The advent season is a season of waiting, but it is also a season of hope as we are reminded that all of creation is waiting with HOPE for all things to be made new. God is full of hope, even when we feel hopeless.
In a season of hope, may your heart be turned to worship and praise. Seeing God as He is, completely sovereign and in control can only lead us to hope. That hope is real, genuine and deeply rooted in the character of God. When I feel hopeless, the words of the psalmist encourage me to put my hope in God, to focus my eyes on him and not my circumstances.
There is a lyric to a song that has been giving me hope in this season, it is so simple, yet so powerful. The power of God in a simple word, and how it can change everything.
“One word, from you. Things change, on your authority.”
Let us pray.
God, may You fill me with hope by fixing my eyes upon You. May I see You for who You are, in all of Your glory during this season. Let the thrill of hope be evident in my heart and in my life during the advent season. Amen.
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