Raise Our Heads

 

After the rain, these little day lilies raise their heads again toward the light. They seem to me to be the picture of hope. The storms may beat them down, but they always rise again, bringing beauty and joy. I needed this sign today, after the heavy storms of grief and pain that have settled over our land once again.

The apostle Paul writes that “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” We seem to be in a time of groaning in this world, waiting for something new to be born, waiting for a new day and a new way of living together. We are beaten down by the storm and need some hope.

The resurrection of Jesus holds the hope we seek. God is at work bringing life out of death, hope out of despair and joy out of sorrow. In the face of the world’s rejection of God’s love, God loves anyway. In spite of all we do to thwart God’s way in the world, God continues to move us toward a world of peace and love and compassion for one another. God does not give up.

Nor do we. We will continue to raise our heads. We will continue to live in hope. We will continue to do all we can to be used of God in bringing about the world God intends all to know.

Peace.