Hope for the Hopeless
by Annie Yorty
We live in a world filled with despair. But God has a plan to use His people to bring hope to the hopeless.
Abandoned Hope
A bare light bulb chained to the ceiling exposed the shame and defeat etched into the faces of the women in the shelter. Some eyed us suspiciously from their pitiful pallets suspended on wires stretched across skeletal metal bunk bed rails.
The bunks butted up against each other, about ten double-deckers in all. Several women huddled under paper-thin brown covers, not budging at the intrusion of two strangers.
About twenty adults shared this room without a dresser or even an end table in sight. Some of them edged forward to greet us, but no smiles. Smiles don’t come easily to most Russians, a legacy of a long history of suffering, I’ve heard.
A Misconception
A year or two before I stood in that Siberian homeless women’s shelter on a frozen January evening, I hesitated when asked to consider going on a mission trip to share the gospel of Jesus.
As a former accountant, I would calculate the cost of sending me and question how my presence could be more helpful than the funds I could give if I stayed home.
I reasoned those dollars would be better spent to meet the intense, physical needs of the people in question. I couldn’t justify the expense of an in-person visit.
The Heart of God
In the opening of his gospel, John wrote the love of God caused Jesus to leave heaven to dwell on earth with people.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14 NLT)
The truth in this verse showed me the heart of God. I’m certain God could have dealt with sin without sending His Son out of heaven to earth. But God’s nature of love caused Him to choose to come to us in person. The price tag for that choice was incalculable—the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.
Emmanuel—God with us. God knows we need His presence. He desires for us to be with Him. I’m thankful His Spirit stays up close and personal with me and all who have trusted in Jesus for salvation.
Not all people have received the gift of salvation that leads to eternal life with Christ. That’s why Jesus gave a mission to those who’ve chosen to follow Him.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 NLT)
God may send us across the street or across the world, but these words of Jesus leave no doubt that we are to go. While God is perfectly able to spread the good news of Jesus without our participation, He gives us the privilege of being His witnesses. Since His Spirit resides within us, our physical presence should bring God up close and personal to people who don’t know Him.
Our physical presence should bring God up close and personal to people who don’t know Him. #annieyorty #godwithus #hope #witness Share on XHope for the Hopeless
God wants to us to personally go and carry His gospel to people living in the darkness of their sins. To His prophet, Isaiah, and to us, God says, “Whom shall I send” (Isaiah 6:8 NLT)? When God’s wisdom overrode my human reasoning, like Isaiah, I finally said, “Here I am. Send me.”
That heart transformation happened twenty years ago, and God has graciously used this imperfect vessel to be His witness in ways I never imagined. Here at home, He sends me to camps to teach children, to my neighbors, to my family, and to people with special abilities.
Across the world, He’s sent me dozens of times to places and people I never dreamed of. Places like the homeless shelter in Siberia in the dead of winter. People like the women whose hope was worn down to the nub by poverty, abuse, addiction, and tragedy.
When I explained the gospel message that dark evening in Siberia, I could see the light of hope flicker to life in dead eyes. Each precious woman sensed the presence of God in me as I prayed with and for them.
That’s the power of Emmanual, God with us.
Today my heart overflows with hope and joy.
After a years-long hiatus from traveling abroad to share the gospel, God has once again opened the door for me to go. From July 10—23, I will travel with a small team to the Republic of Georgia. There we will meet with refugees from Russia and Ukraine, addicted people, children at camps, and others who need to be introduced to Jesus living within us.
I invite you to be a part of this gospel-centered ministry in the Republic of Georgia. Please contact me, and I will send you more information about how you can pray and otherwise participate.
Friends, God has given each one of us a role as His witness. I encourage you to go, whether He calls you across the street or across the world. Take Emmanual, God with us, to people who need hope.
Join the conversation:
How has God used you as His witness to share the hope of Christ?
I welcome your comments.
Copyright ©2025 Annie Yorty
