Scripture: Romans 8:24–25 (NRSV)
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Reflection
Paul describes hope as something we “wait for with patience.” This isn’t quiet resignation but an active stance of trust, a willingness to stay open to what God continues to unfold. Hope isn’t based on what we control; it’s rooted in God’s steady presence guiding us through the unknown.
During Advent, hope becomes a partner rather than a promise. It keeps us united when fear tries to divide us. Hope softly suggests that our future isn’t fixed or limited to what we currently see. It reminds us that our lives are shaped through partnership with the God who draws near again and again, working within us and among us to create something new.
This kind of hope demands courage — courage to trust in God’s unseen work, courage to stay open, and courage to keep believing that what God is doing is more profound and expansive than what we can perceive. When we embrace that hope, we find a strength that doesn’t come from certainty but from relationship.
Application (Action)
Spend a few moments in silence. Allow your breathing to slow down. Visualize hope as something that gently and securely supports you.
Writing Prompt
What does it mean to trust what you haven’t seen yet?
Prayer
God of unfolding stories, help me find rest in the hope that grows in unseen places. Hold me steady as I wait with you. Amen.