Hope On Purpose | A Practice
Did you come here today with expectations of a big reveal of epic proportions? Ahem, well, allow me to say -- drop your expectations down a few, people! The pressure's too much! In case you tuned out the world yesterday, I had mentioned (over cornbread and biscuits) being excited about some direction for us in this online space. The direction I found is terribly simple and only made exciting by the One we choose to do this with! Will you read the unusually wordy post to see what I'm thinking?
When we get to the end of our life, we are going to want to feel like we have lived the best, the most effective life we could. We knowthis in our heads, but we lose perspective as we sail in and out of weeks (name that book!), as one busy day falls into another. Add to the busy days, the hard + deep of life and we find ourselves barely crawling at times, let alone living with intention. What I would hate most is to miss life. To miss livinglife. But more, to miss life heart-full-inwith Jesus. So how can we live life on purpose and have effect within all the chaos and pain?
When I was praying and considering how to make this online space worth our time, sticking with the idea of hope was a necessity. Not because it's part of this blog's name, but because HOPE fuels every area of our life. Without hope, nothing else matters. Faith keeps hope reaching. Love keeps hope breathing. It's a three strand cord lacing our moments together and anchoring us in three major areas of living. How can we Hope On Purpose?
Hope begins with regularly and intentionally opening our hearts to the God of Hope. Quiet moments regarding Him, listening for Him, engaging with Him. Leaving the faucet of hope running to ever be filling us is a must.
Hope begins with regularly and intentionally opening our hearts to the God of Hope. Quiet moments regarding Him, listening for Him, engaging with Him. Leaving the faucet of hope running to ever be filling us is a must.
As we remain in Him, we are equipped to share hope with others, beginning with those in our own homes. Hope is transferred at home by creating an atmosphere of encouragement and grace. If you live alone, become a home of hope to the people you most directly influence on an ongoing basis.
As hope spills out into the home, a steady trickle reaches those we encounter randomly. Hospitality is not about inviting someone to dinner. A life open to "the friendly reception and treatment of strangers and guests" is a chance to share hope exponentially. Being available by giving sincere time and attention to others, even in passing, is perhaps one of our greatest callings.
Are you still with me?! The plan is to offer us both some direction the first week of each month of 2015 in each area of Hoping On Purpose: 1 > Heart | 2 > Home | 3 > Hospitality. A practice, an activity and a challenge to help us live a life intentionally and effectively. Nothing complicated, something customizable to your unique situation, everything about cheering us on to habits of hope! What do you think? Will you start with me tomorrow? Do you think this is something you could use?
