Tea Cups in the China Cabinet

There have been occasions when large groups of people were gathering at the house. During preparation time there have been discussions as to whether paper goods or fine china would be used to serve the people. Certainly, the fine china would have been nice for everyone, but there was always the concern of the fine china being accidentally broken. The discussion would always end up the same; “If you are concerned that the china may be broken, then do not use it, but if you decide to use it, you cannot complain if it breaks.”

I find the same thing to be so true in life. We have so many hopes and dreams that we desire to become an integral part of our life. Yet, we fear that our hopes may be dashed upon the rocks, broken in two, and that what we plan to be a fine life, becomes a disappointment of broken dreams. This is the fragility of hopes. Do we dare to take out the teacups that we really fret can be broken??? Or do we keep them in the china cabinet in safety and under protection, never to be used?

We have dreams of jobs, professions, relationships, finances. We may have hopes of success, ambition, or fame. Whatever our hopes or dreams are, in order to pursue them, the fine china teacups must come out from the china cabinet. This will produce the chance that they may be broken. Should we keep our teacups in the china cabinet with our dreams and hopes under security and protection without the chance of fulfillment? Or should we be bold to display them having the concern that the uncaring, and uninvited guest of disappointment may break every one of them?

Hebrews 11.1 says “Now faith is the substance and assurance of things hoped for, the evidence and conviction of things not seen.”

Hope by itself is very fragile. Hope mixed with faith is a solid foundation. Faith is the assurance that what we hope for, we will have. Hope looks to the future but cannot see it. Faith is the evidence of what we do not see. Faith comes by knowing God’s will, knowing His Word (the Bible). God’s will is for us to have a good future and a hope. He says things like: “I will bless you with a future filled with hope-a future of success, not of suffering.” “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Then He says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be confounded, ashamed or disappointed.”

Add faith in His Word to your hopes and let life spring forth. Our life does not come at us, if comes from us. Let it spring forth in faith.

Go ahead, open up the china cabinet, get ready to take out the teacups!!