At the Bottom… Hope

The Ancient Greeks told the story of Pandora as a way of explaining evil in the world. In the myth, Pandora was endowed with every charm…the gift of all the gods. She was sent to earth with a little jar or box which she had been forbidden to open, but curiosity finally got the better of her. When she removed the lid, all kinds of evil escaped into the world. Pandora tried quickly to close the box up again, but it was too late. But there was one thing left at the bottom, and that was …HOPE.

While the myth attempts to explain why there is evil in the world, it also was the ancients’ way of saying how important hope is. Even when all else is lost, there is still hope.

In your own life, whatever situation you may be facing, whatever burdens you may be carrying, I pray that you would never lose hope.

In the book of Jeremiah, God says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you… plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

Let us pray: Loving God, From generation to generation, you are faithful. Today, I pray for those who feel as though they are in the midst of a dark night. I ask you to meet them where they are and grant them perspective. Help each of us to see beyond the moment, beyond the day, beyond the illness, beyond the brokenness. Help us to trust that your hand is at work, even now, to heal, to redeem, to make whole again. May your Spirit blow through our lives again – bringing with it new life, new hope, and a new way forward. We ask in Jesus’ name.