Hope Flag

Have you ever declared with absolute resolution, "I will not......"  (fill in the blank)

I can personally say that those words can be a dangerous or challenging statement.  Dangerous when we, ignorantly or willfully, are shaking our fist in the face of logic, or, at  times in the face of God, Who really does desire the best outcomes in our lives.  That is a battle of the will power and we have the classic and ultimate example of its detrimental outcome when we read Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.  Or, it can be taken as a personal challenge.  

Now, personally, I recall making that declaration in High School during a drama class monologue.  Our teacher had invited noted community leaders to be in our audience.  My mind froze and I completely panicked.  I walked off the stage declaring that I would never speak in front of people again!  Fast forward...now I have several mental images of myself addressing hundreds of people doing one thing that I love to do - encourage others in the scriptures. (God has a way of turning things around for our best.)

Earlier this year I also heard myself saying, "I will not..."  That declaration was made to my doctor when he knew the best route for my physical benefit and strength was immediate surgery. "But God!  I have waited for You to heal me!"  "My hope has been in You, Lord!"

I thought back to years ago when I found the first tumor.  I had fought the fear of the unknown for months before seeking advice.  After I was told that the best route would be surgery, I promptly declared as I left that doctor's office, "I will not have surgery!"  Fear crept in.  I fought against the imaginations for several years. I memorized, ruminated, meditated, studied, quoted, shouted 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 91, Isaiah 53:5, Luke 10:19, Psalm 103, John 14:27, and many, many more.  I love the life of the Word of God.  That Life replaces negativity and refills our souls with so much hope!  But ---- I did not receive a physical healing.  What was God doing?  

So many wonderful friends and ministers prayed heart-felt and fervent prayers for healing to manifest as I continued to declare, "I will not..."

I held on to hope.  

My awesome family and friends stood with me throughout the ordeal.  I felt like I was climbing a mountain without the right gear (like I would really know what that is - my mountain climber son and daughter-in-law will laugh if they read this) The mountain was crumbling down on top of me as I held my little "Hope Flag."

Psalm 31:24  "Put away fear and let your heart be strong, all you whose hope is in the Lord." (Bible in Basic English)


Matt Redman's song, "Never Once," says:

     Standing on this mountain top
     Looking just how far we've come
     Knowing that for every step
     You were with us

     ...scars and stuggles on the way...

Romans 8:28 drips with redemption as we watch the Almighty turn things around for His name's sake and for our overall good. "But we do know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him-those who have received the Call in accordance with his purpose."  (Twentieth Century New Testament)

Five months after having submitted my, "I will not..." to God and holding my little "Hope Flag" up high as I continue to climb the mountains in front of me, I feel Him strengthen my heart. You may have an ominous mountain in front of you.  God will lead you over it or through it (that's what my friend, Diana prayed for me!) - but either way you will overcome it!  Say "yes" to the climb, grab Abba Father's hand, and determine that you will strike your "Hope Flag" into the ground on top of that mountain!  

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  (KJV)