In August, we bring a set of new full-time writers to the blog. Today, please welcome Jesse Kinyua (’24), who will be writing for us on the 7th of each month. Jesse graduated with a major in Org. Communication (don’t bother asking what it is, he also doesn’t know). Born and raised in Kenya, Jesse is currently working at a non-profit in Grand Rapids, where he gets paid to read as many books as he can in eight hours (not really, but wouldn’t that be awesome!). If he’s not at work, he’s probably listening to trash podcasts, attempting to burn down a kitchen, or engaging in his favorite pass-time, people-watching.
I recently went through a tough disappointment. Long story short, it was something that I’d been holding out hope for quite some time, and after two years of waiting, the end finally seemed to be in sight.
Given the title of this piece, I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise that what I’d hoped for did not happen. Cue the roller-coaster of emotions.
In the midst of the confusion/disappointment/self-pity/etc., I remembered an article I’d recently read by a man who’d just lost his wife to cancer (a situation which immediately put a pause on my own pity party). In it, he drew from the passage in Luke 24.
In the story, two of Christ’s followers are walking to the village of Emmaus, chatting about the death and “unverified” news of Christ’s resurrection. They are heart-broken, discouraged, downcast, & confused. At this point, Jesus comes up and walks with them disguised as a stranger and asks what they are talking about. In their response, they utter this phrase: “but we had hoped…” (v. 21).
Each of us, at one point or another, have said these words either to God or others. It embodies a deep, visceral response to when our expectations have been shattered, our dreams have died, our prayers have not been answered.
We had hoped that a loved one would be healed
We had hoped to be married by now
We had hoped that finances would come for a specific need
We had hoped to be reconciled with someone
We had hoped to get that specific job
We had hoped…
What do you do when hope seems to fade?
I usually go with one of two options:
Option A: push my feelings deep, DEEP down and hope to God my therapist doesn’t ask any intrusive questions that could cue up uncomfortable feelings.
Option B: sigh, shrug, and try to sound mature by saying, “It is what it is.”
Surprisingly though, this time as I sat with my unmet hope, I was challenged to remember Christ’s response to the companion’s crushed hope on the road to Emmaus.
First, He listened. As soon as Jesus joined the two companions on the road, He invited them to share their story; and even though they were literally telling Jesus His own story, He listened. In the midst of their pain and confusion, Jesus created space for them to bring it to Him.
Secondly, Jesus retold the same story back to the companions—but this time, the story changed. It was now grounded in the truth of the Scriptures, offering a context and purpose that was more glorious than the companions had previously thought.
The two companions had gotten so lost in their dashed hopes that they could not see God’s presence in it (and right there in front of them). And while, yes He did call them fools and all, by the time He left them, their hearts burned with the truth and recognition that as long as God is with us, we always have hope.
Ok, so that’s a nice-sounding sermon and all, but what does that look like for me? Well, I’m gonna keep talking with God about my unmet hopes. I may use some choice language that would make my mother earnestly pray for my lost soul, but it’s God—I’m sure He can take it.
After that, who knows? Maybe there will be an ember of hope rekindled.
What about you? What is your “But we had hoped….”?
Jesse Kinyua graduated in 2024 with a major in org. communication (don’t bother asking what it is, he also doesn’t know). Born and raised in Kenya, Jesse is currently working at a non-profit in Grand Rapids, where he gets paid to read as many books as he can in eight hours (not really, but wouldn’t that be awesome!). If he’s not at work, he’s probably listening to trash podcasts, attempting to burn down a kitchen, or engaging in his favorite pastime, people-watching.
