1. WATCH ATTENTIVELY FOR HOPE

Monday, November 29th
(EYES)

Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  ~ Matthew 7:7-8 (NRSV)

When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart… ~ Jeremiah 29:13 (NRSV)

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. ~ Marcel Proust

A few years ago, we were joking with our son about the way he leaves those little plastic toothpick flossers scattered “conveniently” throughout the house. The next week, I spotted a flosser on my morning walk and teasingly texted him a photo of it. Since that time, I have taken dozens of photos of these flossers; I have been surprised by how many I have found! I would normally have overlooked these small discarded items, but now they have a story behind them – a significance for me – and so I notice them more often.  

Jesus tells us that when we search for the things of God, we will find them. God’s loving presence is being revealed to us all the time, but we aren’t always searching or watching for it. We are distracted by our own expectations, perceptions, and assumptions of what God’s presence should look like and when it should appear. God is with us in this very moment. Are we noticing God’s presence in the ordinary silence or are we waiting for a voice from the heavens? Are we welcoming God’s presence right here and now, or are we waiting for Sunday?   

Today, let’s invite God to keep us aware and open, to notice where our hope can be found – even in the smallest places, even in unexpected moments, even in unlikely people. In doing so, may we radiate a watchful expectancy, bringing a presence of hope into our surroundings. And at the end of our day, may we find that we have been uplifted by our sightings, strengthened in our faith, and filled with an abiding hope that shines for others.

Watch. Where will you see the hope-filled presence of God in Christ today?

Prayer: Ever-present God, open my eyes to see all of my reasons for hope today. Keep me aware and attentive so that I may notice the ways you are moving, guiding, helping, and loving us all. May my spirit carry the hope-filled presence of Christ into every room I enter, for every person I encounter, through every moment of this day. Amen.

Photo by Daniel Lerman on Unsplash
Bible verses found at https://www.biblegateway.com/