Hope is Wild and Unexpected

God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (Ephesians 3:20 THE MESSAGE) 

And that's not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God's goodness. And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God's love (Romans 5:3-5 VOICE). 

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone (Ephesians 1:11-12 THE MESSAGE). 

With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back (II Corinthians 3:12 THE MESSAGE). 

Be devoted to one another... aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength] (Romans 12:10-12 AMP). 

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening] (I Corinthians 13:7 AMP).  

I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them (Hebrews 6:11-12 THE MESSAGE). 

The dictionary defines hope as "a feeling of expectation" or "a desire for a certain thing to happen" or "grounds for believing that something good may happen."  

Wild hope takes it to another level. 

Wild hope is hope in the God of Hope-the God who can do so much more than we expect, so much more than we can ask for, so much more than we can dream or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).  

Wild hope is hope in the God of miracles-the God who moves mightily and miraculously  

in our hearts and lives, and in the hearts and lives of those we love, and in the world around us.  

Wild hope doesn't have safety rails. It doesn't need a backup plan. It firmly believes in divine intervention-that God can and will step in to do what only He can dol  

When the Bible tells us to "hope in God," it's not suggesting the spiritual equivalent of wishing on a star. It's telling us to trust in God-trust in who God is and what He has promised us. Trust in the great love He has for us. No matter what.  

The truth is, life doesn't always work out the way we plan. It can be tough. We may face some hardship and heartache and pain.  

But with wild hope, we know that even when bad things happen, God is still with us-still loves us, still cares. We know that He has a plan. 

Wild hope says He will use even this-whatever it is-for His glory and our good.  

And our hearts will be glad.  

We will rejoice again and again! We will celebrate the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalm 27: 13). 

And if you can't see it yet, if you're not quite feeling it, hang in there ...  

Hope in the Lord.  

"Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD" [Psalm 27:14 AMP). 

Let's do it together!