Sometimes, life feels empty. It feels like there are so many empty spaces left to be filled, so many ministries neglected, so many broken things cracked and split open. And it’s easy to despair. It’s easy to grieve these empty spaces, and it can even be right to do so.
But we can also see these holes and absences and cracks as spaces for hope. Where there’s an empty ministry, we can hope that God will fill it. Where there is brokenness, we can hope for healing. Where there is a lack of teaching, we can hope for God’s wisdom to fill the space.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” – Romans 8:18-25
Where we cannot see, we can hope. And, in fact, Paul suggests that those are the only places we can hope! For what is hope if we hope for what we see? What is left to hope for, if all we desire is already in front of us? But where there are spaces, where there are cracks, where there are holes in need of filling, there we can hope. There we can draw on the promises and character of God to see the shape of things to come. There we can trust that what God has begun, He will be faithful to complete.
Allow me to use the illustration of a cathedral being built. It’s still under construction. Its bell towers haven’t even been framed yet. Its windows are vacant openings. The interior is hollow and empty.
If we were to look at that cathedral, would our hearts sink at its many absent pieces? Or would our hearts thrill as we imagine what it will be like when it’s made complete? Would we grow discouraged at how long it will be until the cathedral is finished, or would we wait in eager anticipation for the day it is made ready?
Perhaps we would feel both. We see that groaning is part of the anticipation of completion and full birth. To acknowledge the difficulty of filling those spaces is not wrong. But we should also hope. We should bring God’s promises to mind and see those spaces as opportunities for growth and beauty, as cracks in the pavement make way for flowers to sprout, and keep our focus on His faithfulness, His creativity, His ultimate plan, as we trust that what He has started He is faithful to complete–whether in our hearts individually or in His kingdom on a grander scale.
What are you hoping for today?
Within the Static 