A stark reality begins to hit as you age, and it is this: all things end. Good or bad, all events, lives and experiences end at some point. All things, except our living hope, namely, Jesus.
I say this not to depress you, but more to point to you something better.
This verse hit me this morning as I read the Word:
"Paise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you who through faith are shielded by God's power." 1 Peter 1:3-5
I am the first to admit that there are times in this life, that I feel hope-less. But the reasons that these feelings creep in and overtake me are based upon the reality that I have begun (without meaning to) to put my faith and hope in things that won't last.
For a long time my hope was in my children, and it was in my ability to have more of them. Once that changed for me via the circumstances God placed in my life I began the soul searching journey of divorcing the things that were stealing the platform of hope that only belongs to Jesus.
I actually discovered many things that I placed my hope in. I had mistaken this earth greatly as the source of my ability to have hope. My hope lies no where on this side of paradise. My hope lies solely in the person of Jesus Christ and the redemptive, saving work He did for me on the cross.
That is where my hope lies.
For I know that as the above verses state, there is an inheritance awaiting me that is beyond my ability to comprehend. Eternity without end, in a place where there is no more suffering, tears or pain. A place that the earth is completely restored to it's original God planned perfection (prior to sin entering in) and I get to be there. With Jesus.
My hope is found in nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness.
He enables me to live a life that filled with hope because I know that He is holding me fast, keeping me and with me always. I don't have to be afraid of my hope "walking out on me.." or dying..or ending.
My hope is placed on something (someone) that is eternal.
Does that mean that I am spared of suffering? No. But I am promised hope through the suffering. How can this be? Because even in the midst of trial JESUS is unchanging. He is there, causing me to fix my eyes not on the pain, and sin of this present darkness, but rather, on the hope that is, and the eternal home that awaits as I rest in Jesus Christ alone.
False hope is a hope that is based upon people, circumstances, events, and things that give temporary excitement. Everything new gets old, every thing fresh will fade. Except Jesus.
I know we are a society of options, we like choices.
But with Christ there are only two things you can say to His hope that is offered, "yes" or "no."
Most of my life, I unknowingly, and knowingly, said "No." To the hope that Jesus offered.
Today I answer with a resounding "Yes!" To the hand of hope that is extended.
Think of it as a a fork in the road. At some point, we all reach it. And we must pick which way we shall go. To the right is the boldly printed sign that claims, "True Hope is found in Jesus."
The other road boasts a sign, "Find hope in anything you want."
All athletes know that the road of least resistance is not the road you take for gaining strength. The road that boasts success anyway you seek it sounds nice on the surface but will it really end well? I traveled the wide, "easy" road for much of my life, and I promise you that my years on that road were the most tumultuous of my life.
The road I walk with Jesus by my side has been a beautiful but challenging journey. There has been some loss along the way, tears I've cried but wherever the tears fell, flowers shot up from the ground. Jesus made beauty of my sorrow, and laughter in my tears.
He holds my hand and tells me with reassurance that "He will never leave me nor forsake me."
Sometimes I'm tempted to glance over to the other road, the one that is wide and filled with people, but over there, the tears do not spring up flowers. The tears fall on rocks and stay there. The laughter although loud, is hollow. And the people, although beautiful, they are fading and the lines on their faces boast many years of covering up pain with a fake smile.
No, I shake my head, take Jesus's hand and together we continue up the beautiful, more challenging path we're on, were heading up the mountain, and I can see the sun rising between the peaks. It's treacherous, but I feel safe. I know if I get tired Jesus will put me between His shoulder blades and carry me for a while. No, I wouldn't want or dream to be anywhere else. For with Jesus my hope is held. With Jesus my life is secure. I look up into His face, He looks down at me, and smiles. O yes. I am right where I need to be. I sigh a sigh of peace. And together we keep on walking up, up and up...
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20
