in Hope, of God

Be joyful in hope.

Be a radiant exemplar.

Test and approve the will of God.

As I sit here reflecting on my old journals, I can’t help but smile. I enjoy reflecting on these thoughts and ideas I felt compelled to document. Four years ago, I noted my gratitude “for these books accompanying me on this life journey and this archive of wanderings and wonderings.” This was a curious and playful reflection. To recognize that I’m sharing this life journey with these writers and thinkers across geography and time and inviting these people into my home and my life so I can learn from them as they share their experiences and wisdom.

Looking over my November 4ths, I found these thoughts from scripture and from a modern philosopher, Brian Johnson. I am joyful in hope as I test and approve the will of God. These are notes from scripture that caught my attention. We need not be anxious as we hope forward, but rather we need to find joy in the waiting and in the process of living. Another note from scripture came from my favorite passage in Paul’s letter to the Romans. A passage that can be scary at first sight, but now I believe is another passage of hope and peace. With open hearts and minds, we may actually be able to test and approve the will of God. I have always been hyper-cautious to even consider the possibility that I may understand the will of God for my life. That belief has shifted over these past few years. I’ve found boldness in the freedom given me as I look across this great ancient collection of scriptures. Freedom to use my experiences, my tradition, and these wise teachings to define the direction of my life. Not that I necessarily have a life destination in plan, but rather that I have a life direction in plan. And I find myself much more at peace with my direction. As I continually test and approve this wisdom, these teachings, and my experiences I have at this point that will take me one step further along. And today, I am at peace. Grateful for the opportunity to be a radiant exemplar just as I am. At every point along this trajectory of life.