Restoring Hope in Us
This can give the thought that one was not living to the full. If we work harder to not speak in generalities and Christianese (veneer godliness), there stands a likelihood that more folks will experience freedom and optimism that only comes from the One Who IS the restorer of it.
You and I can poll 200 people asking, “what life is and the meaning of it”, we can possibly get at least 50-60 (pure guess) different groupings. Everyone has an opinion and that view would be founded on their belief structure and life experience.
If you ask the proverbial follow-up question, “How would you restore a broken life/past?”, that question would open a Fort Knox typed bin of hidden stuff. If we are careful and listen, we can point that person to the Holy One of Israel, Who is this Living we speak of.
Each of us can say, “I’ve experienced some broken, chipped and shattered” moments in my lifetime.
Personally, I have had my share of brokenness! I can say, “I’ve poured out many tears and have felt lost and alone.”
When people are around and loneliness is still your only friend, that would seem a bit strange. Would it not? That was my life. Sometimes it still is a part of my story and His Plan in me. I don’t understand His Ways, but I trust Him and Them.
The really important and amazingly cool thing is, ADONAI (Lord) uses His Word and people to help restore a broken life, mind and heart? Biblically, if you believe and trust the Bible’s Foundation, you will come to know that this restoration will be true freedom for anyone who submits to the Way found in It. Searching for Hope and ‘finding’ GOD will give that soul a sense of being ‘home’. That perception will come from the One Who restores—referring to GOD.
The Word of GOD is not just a set 66 books, filled with numerous Teachings, but a Living Source that offers hope, direction, and healing.
When individuals face brokenness, the Scriptures provide comfort, guidance, and the promise of renewal.
The Action(s) of the Lord woven through a submitted life emphasizes the rebuilding, renovation and repair that a soul undergoes is not about superficial "godliness" but about genuine transformation that comes from engaging genuinely with ADONAI’s Truth.
How is all of this achieved? It starts with us surrendering to the Spirit of Truth and allowing GOD’s people to function properly in their role for us. Restoration follows that. How long does it take? How long will it take? I dunno.
The Word of GOD has always had the Focus of teaching Israel (and the grafted) to be a unified people. Community is not what we make it, per se. It requires the people (individually) to submit to the Truth of the Word and live accordingly to that Truth and not their own. The unfortunate thing is, we come up with our own truth, through faulty understanding, love and obedience.
If we take the reasons for much of the frustration of the GOD of Israel, disobedience is the reasons for His anger. How they treated Him, the Land and one another (the people) MATTERED to Him. It matters now!
The importance of community is that… IMPORTANT! Taking advantage of the hurting is a bad look (Ezekiel 34) is one of the books I look to. Ther are MORE references to this injustice. “Unjust weights” is yet another focus.
Should we all acknowledge that everyone has experienced unsavory and unwelcomed “moments”, we will discover that sharing our experiences by listening carefully and offering support will go a long way for gaining trust and building—not tearing down. This will certainly point someone toward healing.
When we understand how to move beyond generalities, walk in love, Biblical Truth and be present for others, the Bible can help people experience hope and restoration by embodying compassion, understanding, and the trust that comes with being and feeling loved.
The act of listening, sharing burdens, and pointing each other to GOD’s promises are all ways people participate in the restoration process. The Word of GOD returns us to the Father by offering hope, Truth, and the promise of a renewed life.