Festival in the Desert: 7 Days of Hope in the Hard TimesSample

Coffee Dates with Jesus One of my favorite things is sitting across from a Sister in Christ in a cute coffee shop with a cup of coffee between my palms and talking about life, God, faith, trials, joys, dreams, and everything. This is one of my favorite things because A) I love good quality time and conversation, B) Coffee, I LOVE coffee, and C) I love learning about their journey and walking with the Lord. I love hearing the things He’s walked them through and getting a front-row seat to the glorious tapestry known as their lives that He is weaving. Time and time again, I find myself in awe of the beauty of how intricately God has made each of us as I sit and swap testimonies, stories, laughter, and, almost always, tears. I find that one of the reasons these moments are so dear to me comes from all the times that I have had a mentor, friend, or family member offer the space for me to fully be myself and share my heart. It sparked my passion to offer the same haven for others and even provide a place to refocus our eyes on God; to spark that ember of hope when weariness has started creeping in. With each new dialogue, I am reminded of the Love of the Father and leave with a better understanding of His Heart and that I am not alone. I am inspired each time I see the tears start to fade and the glimmer of hope, the twinkle, reemerge in the eyes of the daughter of God sitting across from me. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the time well spent. It is as if, for a moment, God has blessed us with the gift of being seen, heard, and loved and reminded us of how valuable a relationship is to Him. These beautiful and intentional moments breathe fresh air into our lungs when we need it most. I like to think that this is how God desires to meet with us in our time reading the Word and through prayer. It points me back to the Power of the Cross and Jesus’ Finished Work, allowing us access to the Father Himself. We get to commune with the very Creator of the Universe, the Author and Perfector of our faith, our Savior, our Redeemer, the very Lover of our souls, just like we would our dearest friends for a much-needed coffee date. This is astounding to me. I believe that when we understand more fully the Gift that Christ has given us through Reconciliation, we have more joy and hope no matter what may be happening around us. I imagine Jesus smiling after we’ve spent time with Him, talking about everything, and allowing His Grace, Love, and Kindness to reach us so that the twinkle returns to our eyes even after the tears. We can show up messy and leave empowered. We can come in discouraged and leave inspired. Jesus is the Ultimate Hope Dealer. He made it possible for us never to be separate from the Father and has given us a future filled with hope that we can rejoice over, even in this world with its pain and sorrow. He made way for us for the Greatest Problem we would ever face for all Eternity, and we can trust that He is more than capable of making way for us in every trial we will face here on Earth. What’s so incredibly beautiful about it all is He wants to sit with you and show you how. Power Verses: Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Psalm 16:11 (NIV): "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Power Thought: Hope anchors us in God's Promises and sustains us through tribulations. In God's Presence, we find Lasting Joy, Purpose, and the assurance that He is intimately involved in our lives and weaving a tapestry of Grace, Love, and Redemption. Reasons to Rejoice: Our hope is secure in Christ, who gave us a reason to rejoice even in the midst of trials. He made a way for our Salvation and access to the Father. Prayer Prompt: Heavenly Father, thank You for the direct access I have to You by the Redeeming and Restorative, Finished Work of Christ on the Cross. Thank You for Your desire to meet with me, be known by me, and let me know You. Draw me close to You and let me yearn for closeness with You as my Best Friend so I may learn from You and be made more like my Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Opportunity for Reflection: Take moments of stillness to meditate on the intricate ways God has worked in your life, recognizing His Presence in every trial, joy, and interaction, and find joy in the knowledge that you are a cherished part of His Divine Plan. This devotional was adapted from the book [ “Festival in the Desert: Learning to Rejoice in the Difficult Seasons of Life.” ](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=festival+in+the+desert+laureen+trujillo&crid=2AXDDOTO23WXH&sprefix=festival+in+the+desert+laureen+trujillo%2Caps%2C151&ref=nb_sb_noss) Read other devotionals and connect on the author’s [ website ](https://www.laureenalexa.co/) .