Lord, I confess that I struggle with hope the more I know people on a deep relational level. Your church — especially your leaders — are far from perfect and their sanctification is incomplete. If the world found out about the things I know about, it would raise a barrier between them and the Gospel. That bothers me.

I guess Father I am asking for more of your heart and more humility. You know everything that I know about your Beloved, and still you treat them as your own and you move towards them — not away — always working towards their redemption. Teach me, like you, to not yield or hide sin to people’s detriment, but at the same time to know the victory of mercy triumphant over justice (James 2:13). Give me hope through the power of love.