Where Hope and Peace Collide

Oftentimes, I feel an internal battle is taking place between hope and peace. Knowing both are attributes God extends, I know the two are not contradictory but complementary. Then, upon seeing their interdependence in Romans 15:13, their connection…and their tension…became clearer.

Where Hope and Peace Collide

Hope without peace turns to anguish,
As dreams collapse to the floor;
Waiting in anticipation,
Can leave one with wanting far more.

Peace without hope becomes fruitless,
As dreams are all boxed-up and stored;
Reluctant to sow for tomorrow,
The new grains of hope go unpoured.

Hope without peace is expectant,
It hastens to think something’s due;
It holds out its hand for wages,
And fails to see service is due.

Peace without hope is complacent,
It lacks any motion or drive;
In stillness it grows apathetic,
And soon is unable to thrive.

Hope without peace turns to hunger,
Like waves crashing upon the shore;
With crestings of desperation,
It drowns out all peace with its roar.

Peace without hope becomes hopeless,
Thus failing to uphold itself;
For peace is not meant to discourage,
Nor place hopefulness on a shelf.

Thus peace stands by leaning on hope,
And hope is erected by peace;
If either should try to be master,
Support for the other would cease.

In truth these two do not struggle,
Nor challenge each other through strife;
Rather they’re strengthened through tension,
A bind that grants peace and hope life.

So pull on hope’s reins without fretting,
Clasp firmly the bridle of peace;
Fulfillment is found in their tension,
and hopelessness finds its release.

Author: Kris Smith

I live in West Tennessee with my husband of nearly 30 years and our two boys, ages 20 and 17. My love is education...specifically Christian education. For the past twenty years, I have served as a teacher and also principal. Now, however, I find myself in a new season...a quieter season...a difficult season. What I have done full throttle for the past two decades, I am no longer doing. As I adapt to this adjustment and seek the path God is clearing for me, I find myself wanting to share what God is teaching me with others. And so, here I am. Listening and learning from the Master Teacher Himself. I hope the lessons He teaches me are applicable to you as well.

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