A Living Hope
I have been in the book of 1 Peter this month. Verses 3 to 5, in Chapter 1, have stayed with me:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Living. Imperishable. Undefiled. Unfading. Reserved. Protected.
The cool feeling of summer’s breeze against the skin barely describes how refreshing these words are to me. They provide a kind of comfort that nothing in this world can offer.
This is what our faith as Christians births in us; a living hope that precedes this earth, reminding us that this is not the end.
I often think about what a mercy it is that the Lord gave us the gift of hope and the ability to comprehend it. The gift of a better tomorrow, and with it, an expectation. We can lift our eyes from present worries and look ahead with hope. I saw a tweet recently that filled me with joy:
“We’re closer to the return of Christ than we’ve ever been.”
While that bestows a responsibility on us to share the gospel with greater urgency, it also brings assurance and hope.
Jesus Christ is coming back. Each morning, this truth grows clearer, spurring me to do more for His glory and inviting me to rest in the reality of this world’s impermanence.
When life is exciting or overwhelming. When new things are happening. When life seems mundane. Everything ahead of me. Every milestone I aim to reach. There remains nothing my soul looks forward to more than the time Revelation 21:4 speaks about, when there will be no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain. When we will enjoy eternal communion with our King. When suffering and striving will cease. When our names and accomplishments will hold no relevance, and what will matter most is if we truly loved Jesus.
The next time someone asks me what keeps me going, I will tell them this honest truth: the living hope of a forever with Jesus, where I will be free from life’s complexities.
I will leave you with this quote from a sermon, “In Defence of Hope,” by Jackie Hill Perry:
“If Christ is alive, then we have hope. The resurrection is the reality from which we draw our hope. If Jesus Christ really got up, if He really rose from the dead, everything will be alright. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar.”
Dear friends,
Hope in the Lord. If Jesus is alive, your hope is alive.
Live with more intention for His Name’s sake; every day is a day closer to eternity.
Rejoice because suffering and injustice have an end; every day is a day closer to eternity.
Comfort and strengthen others with the same comfort these words give you.
See you next month, if He tarries!
Here’s a song for you:
