A Flood of Hope

"When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth."— Genesis 8:11

If you live in sunny Southern California, today's verse is pretty appropriate this week. It won't stop raining. At all. Ever. Where's the nearest gopher wood vendor when you need him? And we are loving every drop.

When Noah built the ark, those around him probably laughed and scoffed. But we all know the story. The ark was completed, then came two-by-two, and then the rain (a lot of it). A year later, the dove returned to Noah carrying hope; the olive branch meant land was near.

You and I just might be going through a flood this week. Sure, maybe not a literal downpour of rain, but caught in a torrent all the same -- up to our knees in doubt, our waists in worry, and our necks in fear. An olive branch to grab onto right about now would be nice, amen? A little break in the clouds maybe?

It's Monday. A new week. But may this new week be our reminder that the hope we need came in human form and He eventually healed the broken, raised the dead and yes, calmed storms. You know, if I'm not mistaken, I think it just stopped raining.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Any prayer requests this week? If you'd rather not be specific, please say "unspoken" and we will lift you up by name.