Glimmers of Hope

“…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

In Finland during the winters, people will create something called a ‘lumilyhty’ which directly translates into English as a ‘snow lantern’. You make a whole bunch of snowballs, all the same size, and then pile them up to build what looks like a mini fort or tower. Once you have built it high enough, you place a candle inside and let it light up your front stoop or balcony!

Since Finland is so far north, winters are especially cold! In the northern most parts of the country, north of the arctic circle, there is a portion of winter in which the sun does not rise above the horizon at all!! Can you imagine?! Depending on where you live in Finland, winter can last anywhere from 100 to 200 days. It is their longest season of the year. I think Finland might be the direct opposite of Singapore!

In a place that can be so dark, it makes sense to me that the people would create these little snow lanterns for their homes!

Now, I know that it’s a little too early to be talking about snowy winters, but this idea of light breaking through the darkness has been on repeat in my mind lately.

I am a firm believer that Christmas lights can be used to decorate just about any room, any time of the year. I call them twinklie lights and they make me very happy. They aren’t overwhelmingly bright and yet they can make a huge difference in the ambiance or the feel of a space.

John wrote about this light that shines in the darkness… a light that cannot be overcome by darkness! He wrote that in Jesus was life, and that this life was the light; “true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9).

As someone who was raised building snow lanterns in the yard and who adores brightening up spaces with as many funky lights as possible… I also know the deep disappointment of a prematurely snuffed candle. The heartbreak of one, single, burnt-out light bulb right in the middle of a string of lights! The lights we see and enjoy and draw comfort from fade – wicks slowly disappear and bulbs, inevitably, burn out.

If my hope is set on the things of this earth, my hope will also burn out. But that’s why having our hope set on Christ never disappoints! The life he lived, the life that is the light of the world, while snuffed for a few days came back in resurrected glory! Nothing can undo or hide away the light of Jesus’ victory over death.

In times that are increasingly dark and cold, look for glimmers of hope! Remind yourself of the hope you have in Jesus… this hope that will never put you to shame! I encourage you to find some new ways to physically brighten the spaces you live in. Especially now that living and working and schooling and playing all happen in the same place! Brighten those places up and set yourself little symbols and glimmers of hope.