23 December 2016
Friday of the Fourth Week in Advent
The Shawshank Redemption is the 1994 movie based on Stephen King’s novella. It tells a story of a convicted murderer (previously a banker) who claims to be innocent called Andy Dufresne. Andy Dufresne finds a way of surviving 19 years of harsh prison life through the secret weapon of hope. As he told his fellow inmate Red, “Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
Elizabeth did not give up hope and settle for being barren. She had been hoping for a child for many decades, until God showered her with mercy by giving him a son. What hopes do you have for yourself or your family? Can you keep those hopes alive and not give up on them? Or can you recall an experience when your unrealized hope was at last fulfilled.
As we approach the end of Advent and enter the Christmas season, let us ponder for a moment our hopes for the future. Let us bring our hopes to God and speak to God as a friend about our hopes. Listen for what God says about hope.