Ellen Wildman holds firm to the belief that everyone is a theologian. She wants to help others feel like the Bible and theology are accessible to them. Her work as the Bible publisher at DaySpring has shown her how “faith, hope, and love” run deeper than a quippy saying and can transform and encourage her walk with Christ daily. Read more of Ellen’s story below. It’s a delight to welcome Ellen to the farm’s table today…

Guest Post by Ellen Wildman

The job of a Bible publisher is no ordinary 9-5. It’s a strange, magnificent, and complicated thing when the study of faith becomes an integral part of your work.

Balancing the responsibility of delving into the Word of God as part of a daily to-do list can be a unique challenge, but it’s an honor nonetheless. In the midst of it all, my favorite part, the part of the process that really makes my heart burst with excitement, is what we call storyboarding.

At the inception of each new Bible project, typically two to three years prior to its release, I find myself in my home office with a big iced chai and my Bible, meticulously planning the arrangement of unique features. From book introductions and character profiles to devotionals and study notes, every Bible carries its own distinct offerings.

My job is to journey through all 66 books, from the Old Testament to the New, strategically placing these features where they best belong.

It’s a humbling and prayerful process, knowing that one day people just like you will purchase this Bible, eager to encounter Jesus within its pages. As I delve into chapter after chapter, my prayer every time is that my work will help readers to discover the richness and beauty of Scripture. And the experience of storyboarding the NLT Inspire Illustrating Bible was no exception.

But I never anticipated how tracing the themes of faith, hope, and love throughout the Word would fortify my own faith and renew my gratitude for God’s goodness.

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Faith, hope, and love is far more than a Christian catchphrase. It is foundational to our relationship with Christ and with others.”

I was tasked with finding 300+ instances of faith, hope, and love in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. As I embarked on my journey in Genesis, I must confess, I wasn’t starting from a place of deep thought. Having encountered the phrase “faith, hope, and love” countless times throughout my years in the church, it seemed a little too cliché to be life changing.

It felt like the kind of sentiment parroted at weddings, hung on a plaque in my grandma’s kitchen, and worn on a necklace of a woman at church. However, as I immersed myself in the storyboarding process, the richness of this phrase unveiled itself before me.

And in the end, I came to understand that faith, hope, and love is far more than a Christian catchphrase. It is foundational to our relationship with Christ and with others.

Unearthing profound instances of unwavering faith in even the most obscure books like 1 Chronicles, Ezekiel, and Nahum, I felt the awe-inspiring presence of God.

From Abraham to Esther, from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to Thomas, and from the Israelites in Joshua to the teachings of Jesus, our heritage of faith unfolded before me.

And with each story, Hebrews 11:1 resounded like an anthem: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

Over and over again, people in the Bible faced challenges and trials, and yet they clung to the promises of God and were propelled by His empowering presence (see Joshua 1:9 for example). They relied on God in faith, and God carried each of them through. And He is carrying you, too.

Hope naturally bubbles forth from the spring of faith, as demonstrated by those who put their trust in God and therefore found a greater hope for tomorrow.

Job maintained hope in God’s justice and mercy, believing that God would eventually restore him (Job 19:25-27).

“Throughout the Bible, we see the rejuvenating power of hope grounded by a firm foundation of faith.”

Jeremiah expressed hope in God’s faithfulness and compassion, even in the midst of Israel’s exile (Lamentations 3:22-23).

The woman with the issue of blood demonstrated hope when she reached out to touch Jesus’ cloak, believing that even a mere touch would heal her—and her faith was rewarded (Mark 5:25-34).

Throughout the Bible, we see the rejuvenating power of hope grounded by a firm foundation of faith. And that renewing, powerful hope—hope in God that will transform our perspective and instill in us a perseverant joy—is still alive and well today.

And through it all, as the famous hymn says, we find “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Our strength is undergirded by the unending and astonishingly immeasurable love of God. The entire Bible is a testament to God’s love for humanity, and stories from Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, the Samaritan woman at the well, and Mary and Martha reinforce this love that is deeper and more meaningful than any love the world could give.

“The story of God is the story of love in action.”

The story of God is the story of love in action. Love is foundational to God’s character, and as those created in His image, we are called to reflect this love in our lives and relationships (see John 13:34).

The process of storyboarding showed me that the sentiment of faith, hope, and love is anything but trite. We can place our faith in God, look forward in hope to eternity with Him, and deepen our love for God and for one another while we wait for His return.

Faith enables us to trust in God’s promises and guidance, anchoring our actions and decisions in the belief that God is in control. With hope, we embrace the assurance of eternal life and a better future, finding strength and endurance in challenging times. And in the meantime, love governs our interactions as we demonstrate Christlike compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness toward all.

By integrating faith, hope, and love into our everyday lives, we cultivate a life devoted to God, enriched by deep community, and empowered to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.

[ Our humble thanks to Tyndale for their humble partnership in today’s devotional. ]