Anchoring Our Lives in Holy Hope and Promise

Rainbows have always been a sign of hope—a covenant from God that the storms will not last forever. I shared a memory of chasing a double rainbow in my college days, a moment filled with joy and wonder, and invited you to recall your own rainbow stories. For Noah, the rainbow was a sign that God would never again destroy the earth with a flood, a promise that still speaks to us today. In these VUCA times—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—the rainbow remains a reminder that God has not abandoned us. Instead, God offers us hope and a future, a hope that is not just wishful thinking but has real, evidence-based benefits: resilience, lower anxiety, better performance, stronger recovery from trauma, and a deeper sense of well-being.

But not all hope is created equal. There is a difference between ordinary hope and holy hope. Ordinary hope is tied to outcomes—hoping your team wins, or that you get a promotion. It’s a hope with a shadow side, because it’s rooted in fear and scarcity. When things don’t go our way, we ride a rollercoaster of dashed hopes and disappointment. Holy hope, on the other hand, is anchored in something deeper. It’s not about attaching ourselves to specific outcomes, but about living under the roof of hope, as Barbara Kingsolver puts it—letting hope shape our lives from the inside out.

Holy hope has three characteristics. First, it aspires toward our highest potential, connecting us to our core values and what truly matters—love, creativity, service. Second, it trusts that this higher potential is possible, even when we can’t see the outcome. Like a seed planted in the ground, we trust that God is nurturing us toward growth. Third, holy hope energizes us to engage; it’s not passive. We are called to invest ourselves, to walk toward our aspirations, to put in the work and not just wait for things to happen.

The story of the monk Namoto and the man who walked five hours to see him illustrates this beautifully. In the journey, in the effort, the man found his answers. This is the kind of hope we need to navigate these uncertain days—not a rollercoaster hope, but a holy hope, anchored in God’s promise and presence. So, how might you anchor your life more deeply in hope? What is your highest aspiration? Do you trust it can be achieved? And are you willing to engage, to take the first step? May the rainbow remind us to anchor our lives in holy hope, for God knows we need it.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Rainbow as a Living Covenant The rainbow is more than a beautiful phenomenon; it is a living sign of God’s enduring promise not to abandon us, even in the most volatile and uncertain times. It stands as a reminder that God’s faithfulness persists beyond the storms, inviting us to remember moments in our own lives when hope broke through the clouds. In a world marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, the rainbow calls us to trust in God’s ongoing presence and care. [01:56]
• 2. Ordinary Hope vs. Holy Hope Ordinary hope is often tied to specific outcomes and is shadowed by fear—fear of disappointment, loss, or failure. This kind of hope is fragile, easily dashed, and keeps us on an emotional rollercoaster. Holy hope, by contrast, is rooted in God and is not dependent on circumstances; it is a hope that sustains us even when outcomes are uncertain or unfavorable. [06:45]
• 3. Aspiring Toward Our Highest Potential Holy hope calls us to aspire toward our highest potential, aligning our desires with our deepest values—love, creativity, and service. Like an acorn destined to become an oak, this hope is planted within us by God and does not require striving or hustling, but rather a willingness to grow into what we are created to be. Living each day as if it truly counts is a mark of this kind of hope. [12:00]
• 4. Trusting the Process, Not the Outcome True hope involves trusting that God is at work in our lives, even when we cannot see the results. It is the faith of a seed planted in the ground, believing in growth before it is visible. This trust allows us to move beyond the ups and downs of circumstance, anchoring us in the deeper reality of God’s love and presence, regardless of what each day brings. [13:59]
• 5. The Energy to Engage: Hope in Action Holy hope is not passive; it calls us to action, to invest ourselves in the journey toward our aspirations. Like the man who walked five hours to see the monk and found his answers along the way, we are invited to take steps, however small, toward our highest calling. This engagement transforms hope from a distant wish into a lived reality, shaping our lives and the lives of those around us.
  
  ** [16:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:38] - Chasing the Rainbow: A College Memory
• [01:16] - The Meaning of Rainbows in Our Lives
• [01:56] - God’s Covenant and the Rainbow
• [02:35] - Hope in VUCA Times
• [03:18] - The Benefits of Hope
• [04:06] - Hope and Resilience in Adversity
• [05:27] - Ordinary Hope vs. Holy Hope
• [06:45] - The Shadow Side of Ordinary Hope
• [08:44] - The Parable of the Chinese Farmer
• [10:35] - Living Under the Roof of Hope
• [11:17] - Three Characteristics of Holy Hope
• [12:37] - Trusting God’s Process
• [14:35] - The Energy to Engage: Hope in Action
• [15:11] - The Story of Namoto and the Five-Hour Walk
• [17:09] - Anchoring Our Lives in Holy Hope
• [18:25] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

Genesis 9:12-17 (ESV) — > And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) — > For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Observation Questions

1. According to Genesis 9, what does the rainbow represent in God’s relationship with humanity?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the evidence-based benefits of hope that were mentioned? [[03:35]]
3. What is the difference between ordinary hope and holy hope as described in the sermon? [[06:45]]
4. What three characteristics of holy hope did the pastor highlight? [[11:17]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose a rainbow as the sign of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures? What might this say about God’s character and intentions? [Genesis 9:12-17]
2. The sermon describes ordinary hope as being tied to specific outcomes and having a “shadow side.” Why is this kind of hope so fragile, and how does it affect our emotional and spiritual lives? [[06:45]]
3. The pastor said that holy hope is “anchored in God and is not dependent on circumstances.” What does it look like to live with this kind of hope, especially when things are uncertain or difficult? [[13:59]]
4. The story of the man who walked five hours to see the monk Namoto suggests that the journey itself can bring answers. How does this story challenge our usual approach to seeking hope or solutions? [[16:23]]

Application Questions

1. The rainbow is described as a “living sign of God’s enduring promise.” Can you recall a time in your life when you experienced a “rainbow moment”—a sign of hope breaking through a difficult season? What was it, and how did it affect you? [[01:56]]
2. The sermon talks about “VUCA times”—days that are volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. What is one area of your life right now that feels especially VUCA? How might God’s promise of hope speak into that area? [[02:35]]
3. Think about the difference between ordinary hope (tied to outcomes) and holy hope (anchored in God). Where in your life do you find yourself riding the “hope rollercoaster” of ordinary hope? What would it look like to shift toward holy hope in that situation? [[08:08]]
4. The first characteristic of holy hope is aspiring toward your highest potential, rooted in your core values. What is one aspiration or value that you sense God is calling you to pursue more deeply? [[12:00]]
5. The second characteristic is trusting that your highest potential is possible, even when you can’t see the outcome. Is there an area where you struggle to trust God’s process? What would it look like to trust Him more in that area? [[13:59]]
6. The third characteristic is the energy to engage—taking action rather than waiting passively. What is one small step you could take this week toward your highest aspiration or calling? [[14:35]]
7. The story of the man who walked five hours to see Namoto shows that sometimes the journey itself brings transformation. Is there a “walk” you need to take—something you’ve been putting off or avoiding—that could be part of your growth in hope? What’s holding you back, and how can you take the first step? [[16:23]]