And then there was a young man named Joseph. Yeah, we can all relate to him – the rejection and scorn from those who were supposed to love him most – from those with the same blood running through their veins.

This abandoned boy, turned ambassador for the people of God, had a heart of hope. It was so tightly woven into the makeup of who he was that not even neglect, prison, or the grief of missing his beloved father could stop him from the mission he was called to fulfill.

Joseph was filled with a tenacity that could only be fueled by hope.

After their father’s death, his brothers worried Joseph would seek revenge on account of their past evil towards him.

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid for am I in the place of God? But as for you. you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

-Genesis 50:19-21

Joseph’s heart was so full of hope that he knew trust in the creator’s plan was the only way. And so he offered forgiveness – not so much for the sake of his brothers, even though they would benefit, but for the sake of his God.

This morning I sat watching images on display from the news thinking… If it were my child, my husband… I don’t know, Lord. I don’t know if hope would fuel me to keep on living and serving and trusting in your plan. How will the families of the victims survive Christmas? How will they survive in general? Why, God?

And then I remembered something: Upon the traumatic realization that God is the only One who can help, then to God is where one turns. He holds the universe in His hand and knows the stars by name, He sees every broken heart and never fails to comfort, and He converts grief into hope by showing us glimpses of Himself in the worst of times. I don’t know how He does it, I just know He does.

Oh to have the hope-filled tenacious heart of Joseph – to have the perseverance to withstand the peril and still be kind – to still forgive.

I have a long way to go, friends. But I rest my weary heart in this: Hope is coming.

… so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

-Acts 17:27-28

He is not far.

Hope is near and is coming for us.

Let us continue to grope for it so, when hope arrives, we won’t miss it.

Love,

Jennifer

PS: The winner of the Ann Voskamp book is Linda Hughes! Congratulations!