An Invitation to Hope
Hope in the Darkness
In the wake of disasters in Los Angeles, North Carolina, and Louisiana, I am reminded of the fragility of life. The pain and uncertainty can feel overwhelming, but there is hope—and because many of you don’t have words, maybe I can share some hope. The prophet Isaiah spoke to a people walking in deep darkness and declared:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isaiah 9:2).
This light is Jesus Christ, the One who came to bring hope to the brokenhearted and peace to a weary world. Even in the chaos, His light shines, offering comfort and direction.
The Prince of Peace
Isaiah’s words continue with a promise that still echoes today:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, offers not just temporary relief but an eternal hope. He came to heal, restore, and lead us into a relationship with God that brings unshakable and unquenchable peace.
A Time for Reflection
Isaiah also warned of judgment for those who rejected God’s ways. He wrote, “In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away, and His hand is still stretched out” (Isaiah 9:17). These disasters remind us of our need for God. They are not always direct acts of judgment but are opportunities for reflection. As a believer, I find the most transformation and purpose when I ask myself first, am I walking in the light of Christ, or have I turned away to follow my own paths? Only when I ask myself that do I zoom out and ask the same about my community and the world.
Never Finished Challenge: An Invitation to Hope
In the face of tragedy, God’s hand is not stretched out in condemnation but in invitation. Jesus offers hope, healing, and a future free from suffering and pain.
If you feel lost or overwhelmed, turn to Him and let His light guide you. If you have the strength, pray for those affected, serve where you can, and trust that the Prince of Peace is still at work—bringing beauty from the ashes.
Note: to my brothers and sisters in Christ who might lean toward judgment or conspiracy: my two-year-old recently ran up the stairs with innocent pride, bragging that her three-year-old sister, Sophia, had received a pop on the hand. I gently corrected her, reminding her not to celebrate her sister’s discipline ( I couldn’t help but think, “Especially because she’ll probably get one soon!”—but I kept that thought to myself 😂.)
There is a lesson here for us. On one hand, we know that God can use discipline and judgment to transform hearts. On the other hand, we must guard our hearts from delighting in the suffering or judgment of others. Do not scoff at the disasters or hardships of the world as if immune to the same darkness. It is only by God’s grace that we are safe, that we breathe freely, that we share the Gospel without fear, and that we can love others.
Let’s be people who reveal and hope for Light, not Death. Yes, there is a time to acknowledge the darkness, but let us always strive to expose it with a hope for healing and restoration.
If you find yourself too burdened to carry the weight alone, lean on your friends, community, and those God has placed around you. Reach out—call someone, show up at their house, or share your heart. You are not weak for having doubts, for questioning where God is, or for expressing your pain.
"Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).
What does today say about God?
God has everything I need.
If I am feeling weak, He has my strength.
If I am feeling lonely, He is unexplainably close.
If I feel lost, He can illuminate a path I didn’t know I needed to take.
If I am feeling overwhelmed, He has unending peace.
God has everything I need—and so much more! Thank You, Jesus!