Do you hope for the new year, or do you believe?
What is the difference? Well, in our current vernacular it seems to be vague. The two words are often used interchangeably. However, by definition, HOPE means to wish for something you think has a real possibility of happening. To BELIEVE is to accept something as true or real.
People that are of broken means or heart sometimes think that life happens to them. People that are of wealthy means or heart believe their future is determined by their own creative powers. The former possess a victim mentality. To be sure, the later does not dismiss reality when it happens right in front of them, but keeps on believing their dream is true and real despite any number of obstacles. That's the difference.
When the shadows of our past and the fear of our future keeps us from believing in the here and now, we are short circuited and we reach this place of static unbelief. Because we know what God promises but cannot seem to mix it with faith----even the smallest amount---we become powerless to the demons that circle to devour us. We try to remain positive though, if only in word, and we cling to our faith with a statement like, "I hope I get this job," or "I sure hope things work out."
But there is one thing you must know in these places. Faith is not a matter of material revelation, or what happens to you. It is a matter of immaterial confirmation, or what you believe WILL happen. If you were created in the image of God and He is the Author of Creation, it is not unreasonable to believe that you are also an agent of His continued creativity. Knowing that, you will then determine your actions accordingly.
Your faith---the sustaining kind---will never be stirred to action because of something that is already materialized. That is not faith at all. That is why the distance between belief and unbelief seem such a broad jump. To believe for a miracle in human terms seems like a journey of a thousand miles. But faith can leap that distance in an instant for someone who chooses to grasp hold of it---however small it may be. Visualizing dreams in detailed manner allows us focus in the present and use our time wisely until such future dreams invade reality. Seeing the end from the beginning is a small seed of faith right now that jump starts our actions into creating that future.
So let me ask again, do you HOPE for the new year, or do you BELIEVE?