Monday, November 13, 2006

Reasons to Hope

This week we are exploring reasons to hope. It is no secret that at times our world and all that we hope to accomplish within it seems overwhelming. Can we really make a difference? Sparkfly says yes.

Here are some common road blocks that some young women face while trying to make a difference:
Student loan debt.
Unsupportive family members.
Lack of specialized (in your field) seminary classes.
The what if obstacles . . . what if I never get married, what if I never have children, what if I can't have it all, what if this is the dumbest idea ever, what if this is a big mistake, what if no one will pay me to do this.
The "it would be so much easier to just live a "normal" life argument.
And the ever present, "I have no money, oh my word," issue.

What else would you add to the list of road blocks/obstacles along the journey?

All of the above concerns are valid. The issues are real and the questions are scary. Let's offer hope to one another about how to get to the other side. Sometimes knowing that others face similar challenges can be comforting.


Today's message of hope comes from Philippians 1:6:
"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
The Message

Hopeful,
S

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

This Blog reading today, gives me hope! Thanks SDR for sensing the need to discuss hope.

Today I am hopeful for new beginnings, I am hopeful for new opportunities and a sense of newness with God.

I share in the "roadblocks". At some time or another, every one of these obstacles have hindered my moving forward. I will add more later...but for now....

"Let us throw off everything that hinders us and run the great race ahead..." Amen? We've got so much to do and to be....

1:11 PM  
Blogger Meg said...

Some of those are right on with me! Its like you've had to listen to my gripes...ha!

I would add this as a road block -

Family issues...not so much unsupportive-ness...just the need to be there and be helpful - but not being able to or not knowing what in the world to do.

3:44 PM  
Blogger Marie said...

What a great subject for today. I actually just took a big step towards doing what I am called to do today. Just knowing that others out there are feeling the same things makes it a littlb bit easier. Maybe fear could be added to the list.

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with what everyone's said. But I want to add one more than I'm struggling with...

Being overwhelmed. I feel like issues can be so complicated and huge. How do you go about changing something so big or dominant or _______ (add you own word)? How do you narrow your focus into something you can manage without limiting yourself?

10:06 AM  
Blogger Mandy Mc said...

LOVE this post and the concerns it raises. LOVE the passage of scripture; it is one of my favorites.

A few of my roadblocks:

What if I get all of this fun education only to find myself without a job???

What if my inclusivity is just a new form of exclusivity in disguise (i.e. who do I still leave out or overlook?)?

How do I shake this notion of "ideal womanhood" that is so ingrained in me that I hardly notice its traces?

7:06 PM  

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