40 Days of Building on Faith: You are Equipped to Serve and Bring Hope

During this Lent season we encourage you to reflect on the blessings in your life and how you can serve others.

YOU ARE EQUIPPED TO SERVE  AND BRING HOPE

By Rhea Triche

On days when problems become overwhelming, have you ever lain in bed or looked in the mirror and thought about or even asked yourself, “Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why did God create me?  Does my life even matter?”

The prophet Jeremiah understood such moments of despair and offers some powerful words about hope. Jeremiah 29:11, NIV, says, “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper (develop, mature) you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

God created us all to solve problems. Where there is a problem, there is a purpose; where there is a purpose, there is a promise; where there is a promise, there is a price. It is not that God made us and then created something for us to do. God had a purpose for your life before you were formed in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5).

You are the answer to some individual. You are the answer to a community. You are the answer to the nations! You are the hope that will bring change for today and tomorrow.

Jeremiah reminds us that we all have individual God-given gifts that we are to use to bring hope for a prosperous future. Today, as you meditate and pray, reflect on messages from the prophet as you answer the questions provided.

P R A Y E R
Today, Lord, show me how I can use the gifts You have given me to bring hope as I serve on behalf of and beside those less fortunate. As I begin to understand what You have for me to do, I will look to You for strength to work the plan. Even when it gets hard, I will rejoice because I am reminded that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am here for a purpose, on purpose, to serve others and bring hope! Amen.

Rhea Triche is an organizational development consultant for Habitat for Humanity International’s Global Programs, based in Atlanta.