Soul Scientist

Even though this isn’t a traditional Valentine’s Day post, I pray you might be heartened in reading it. And in reading, knowing that each of us, all of us, are dearly loved by Almighty God for today and every day.

One of my dearest friends cleaned out her closet and brought me a big bag of hand-me-downs. Hand-me-downs are one of my love languages. Thanks for letting me unpack that a bit before you think I’m crazier than I really am (grin). For me, hand-me-downs aren’t just keeping clothes out of a landfill. They’re prompts for prayer and encouragement. Each piece of clothing represents a friendship and a friend in need of prayer. Even if my friend might be doing well in her life, she still needs prayer for her life.

Hand-me-downs serve as prompts for me to bring that friend and her family before the throne of God Almighty for help at that moment. Most days I’m wearing at least one hand-me-down piece of clothing so I’m praying for that friend throughout the day – in gratitude for the gifts from my friend and the gift of my friend with whatever needs she has at that moment. I might not know the needs of my friend. But I do know my friend needs prayer. On that note, everyone needs prayer in some capacity every day.

Having said all that, today when I saw myself in the mirror wearing a sweatshirt from a friend, I realized this sweatshirt was appropriate in a bunch of ways. Not only was the sweatshirt green representing life and growth, the word, HOPE, was written across the front. That one word was a tangible reminder of exactly what I needed at that time.

Hope for today’s hard and heart-wrenching.

Hope for tomorrow’s challenges and convictions.

Hope for eternity’s promises and place prepared for us.

This sweatshirt wasn’t just comfy and warm. It was an unmistakable reminder of the gift of hope from our Good God.

A hope that doesn’t fade or fall away over time but grows faith.

A faith that builds strength and submission to God’s plan for good while welcoming joy.

A joy that cultivates courage and community and reinforces the truth that God is here for me and here with me, at all times.

God’s promises aren’t just fluff or fantasy. They’re real and reality-changing truths that He is faithful, no matter what comes along. They aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re available for all of us to claim and cling to in all circumstances.

In other words, God’s promises aren’t just hand-me-downs. They’re applicable, available, and active in everyday life. They’re solid, steadfast, and supportive today and again tomorrow. They’re fitting for every situation and sorrow, every opposition and outcome, every dream and desire.

We’re given daily opportunities to pray God’s promises for friends and family we know. This is also true for those billions of folks we don’t know. We can trust God with all people for He knows them and us in ways we can never understand. We don’t have to wear green sweatshirts that proclaim HOPE to pray for others. Likewise, wearing green HOPE sweatshirts can’t replace the necessity of praying for others.

And we’re given daily opportunities to proclaim these promises to friends and family we know and folks we don’t know, too. Hope is always the right fit for those who know they need it and those who don’t. Hope and mercy aren’t leftovers. They’re legacies reaching far past the now and into the not-yet.

A lack of hope is often disguised as anger or lack of compassion and concern. A legacy of hope requires diligence and active humility towards both God and people. I’ve been blessed with a legacy of hope that stretches further back than those people I remember. I’m praying for a legacy of hope that extends far past than those people I know.

And I bet you want the same…

Here’s the best news – Christ is our hope of glory for all time, in all ways, and with all people (see Colossians 1:27). And that truth is far bigger and more precious than any sweatshirt, even green hand-me-down ones!

Colossians 1:27 ERV God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.

Written by Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2025.  

Please share your favorite promises from the Bible with us in the comments section. That way all of us can be encouraged to find even more hope in our Good God. Please also take some time to pray for those in your life who need brand new hope for themselves and fresh life breathed into the soil of their souls.