Searching for Hope -- Sue Payne

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” Luke 3:4

It was nearly 10:00 PM when I arrived home from work. The neighborhood was strangely quiet and the air had a crisp chill. After retrieving the mail, I headed back up the driveway. That’s when I heard the lone call. I stopped, rather puzzled as my eyes and ears were drawn in its direction. It was the voice of one Canada goose.

From what I knew about these loyal birds, it was odd to hear its solitary cry so late at night. By nature, they stay in community and need companionship. Geese are known to establish partnerships that last for their lifetime. I immediately wondered whether it was in search of a lost loved one, hoping to reunite.

Many of us spend our lifetime searching in hope of something or someone. We hope to find happiness in our relationships. We hope to achieve success through our labor. We hope to find peace in the midst of storms. We search, yet how many of us think to prepare for the hope to come?

In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 32, God tells the prophet to buy a field outside Jerusalem, a city that had been under siege for almost a year. Enemy soldiers occupied this particular piece of land. A poor investment, you say? But Jeremiah decided to place his hope in God’s promise of returning His people to Jerusalem and rebuilding it. So he bought the land and signed the deed in the presence of witnesses. Jeremiah was prepared to live, to act, and to trust God as if the promises had already come true.

Our world is under siege and the enemy occupies much of our land. But have you heard the call? Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight paths for Him by removing the obstacles of hopelessness. Begin to live like God’s promises have been fulfilled! Be a witness of the hope that comes from trusting in His amazing grace! Anticipate the good things God has in store and live each day preparing your heart to receive them!



Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.