Hope in the Hebrew language is tiqva. It describes the tension on a tightened cord: expectation of the worst outcome pulls against expectation of the best outcome. We hope good things will come and at the same time, we fear good things may never come. 

The Lord God blesses humankind in Genesis 1:28, instructing them to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it…” Tilling the soil, subdues it through planning and preparing the earth for harvest by breaking up rooted weeds and softening the ground to receive the seed. 

A farmer hopes their till work will be enough to yield a good crop, that the land will receive the seed, and rains will come at the right time. And while a farmer hopes and tills, trusts and waits, they work. 

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus Christ instructs His followers to “make disciples of all the nations,” echoing the be fruitful and multiply blessing. If we are to effectively multiply by living out the Great Commission, then we must work like a farmer: we must hope and till. 

Like tangled weeds stealing nutrients and diminishing the crop to yield less than its truest potential, trauma prevents us from living up to our truest potential. Jesus taught in parables, one about a farmer sowing seed on his land (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15): Some of the seed fell on hard paths and was eaten by birds. Some fell on rocky or thorny places and were scorched or choked. Other seeds fell on good soil and yielded an abundant crop, multiplying the seed, maximizing its purpose and potential. The Lord’s lesson was about people hearing the truth of God’s word and the different ways they receive that truth and live it out. 

3 out of 4 places where the seed fell demonstrated to be less than ideal for the seed to grow, reach its fullest potential, and multiply. What if, as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, when the Lord calls us to hard spaces, rocky and thorny places, we work to pull thorns, move rocks, and soften paths? Instead of feeling frustrated, confused, and judgmental, we can feel compassionate, understanding, and empathetic. Rather than asking, “What’s WRONG with you?!” we can be curious and kind enough to ask, “What happened to you?” 

I believe a trauma-informed approach to ministry prepares the soil of the soul to receive the Word of the Lord. Trauma-informed care gets to the root of the issue, removes barriers, and tenderizes even the most armored psyche.

Hope & Till training and consulting assists servant leaders in creating a tailor made plan for applying trauma-informed care that fits within their community context. Evidence based and evidence supported traumatology research lay the foundation for effective interventions. These interventions demonstrate improved mental health and quality of life outcomes as they help regulate the brain, mind, and body in order to build a trust-based relationship. By creating an atmosphere of felt-safety and connected relationship, reasonable decisions can be made that promote flourishing in any vocational, educational, therapeutic, or ministerial setting.

While we wait for the return of Christ, when all creation will be renewed, let’s work. Let’s do good work together as we learn how to best care for God’s traumatized creation now. Let’s hope for the best and trust God to work with us through the worst. Hope & Till with me.