“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
It was a simple, single word: “Hi!”
But it was sweetly symbolic. My neighbor, an foreigner who spoke no English, had spoken that single word, months after moving in next door. Our first meeting had been a humorous event. His nephew and my daughter had played basketball. I walked over to introduce myself and to add a warm welcome. He stood silently while I greeted him and spoke a few moments. After my monologue was over, he turned to his eight-year-old nephew with a question mark on his face.
The light began to dawn on me. I asked if he spoke English.
“No,” replied the boy.
“Please tell him I am her mother,” I gestured toward my daughter, “and I say ‘hello.’”
In a short staccato verbiage, my message was relayed. And then the gentleman looked me squarely in the eye and returned my wave and smiled.
I saw him multiple times every week. When I did, I kept things simple. A short wave of my hand and a single word, “Hi!” He would just smile.
This went on for several weeks, until at last one week he astonished me with his own greeting of “hi!”
After returning his smile, I excitedly entered my home and rushed to tell my family that I finally had an audible response. They sweetly teased me about my marginal success of teaching just one word, but I was truly excited!
Does God get that excited when one of His children attempts to practice a simple spiritual task or truth? Imagine Him watching as we struggle to comprehend what some believe are ‘simple things in the Christian walk’ and His great excitement and celebration when we do!
Every believer struggles with something. No one understands every verse in the Bible. Each one of us finds one sin or another a true temptation.
But, what joy we and God experience when we directly and continuously apply ourselves to the task!
I think the joy I experienced is nothing compared to the joy God experiences when we devote ourselves to learning His truth or choosing practices which lead us closer to Him. He appreciates our effort and applauds our attempts.
What happens once you have learned something new or experienced victory over a struggle? You feel accomplished! You have great joy and a great hope for the future! God celebrates that with us! No matter how ‘simple’ our victory may seem to others, He understands the work and the wielding of faith required to get ourselves out of the way and let Him work in us!
As Romans 15:13 tells us, when we follow after God, He will guide us with joy and peace and His Holy Spirit will lead us forward with hope.
It starts with one decision. The decision to follow Him. Choosing to learn from Him. And, applying that knowledge.
Just as my friendly neighbor observed, studied and then eventually applied just one word, we too can start with one thing! Learn it, practice it, and know it so we may confidently use it.
Such joy! Such a sense of accomplishment. And a great hope for what might be learned in the future.
Nothing you are trying to learn or accomplish is too small or seemingly insignificant when you are trying to follow Him. Even “small successes” are cause for great rejoicing, both in heaven, and here on earth!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your great love for me. Part of Your call for me is to learn obedience. Please help me to focus my heart and mind on the spiritual steps I should take to draw closer to You. Remind me how You celebrate each attempt and every success, no matter how “small.” Thank You for Your joy, peace and hope as we tackle each day together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.