Hope in What We Cannot See

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Hope. A four-letter word that changes everything.

Hope in our future. Hope that God will bring beauty from our past. Hope in God’s protection. Hope in relationships. Hope in our circumstances. Hope in God’s will for our lives, our children’s lives, our grandchildren’s lives.

 

Thinking through all of these intangible hopes can make one overwhelmed and have the urgency to do things our way, to make something happen, to protect, to plan… to be in control. But the reality is, God is our hope, and he is our future.

 

 

HOPE FOR A FUTURE

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have.

Romans 8:24  

Wow! Who hopes for what they already have? This is an amazing reminder and should cause all those who profess Jesus as Lord to remember we have a hope — a hope in a future we cannot see! Life happens, and it can be hard. At times it feels like you are in a wrestling match, and life is winning.

Think of the wind. We can feel it. We can see its physical effects. But we cannot actually see the wind. It has the power to change landscapes, mountains, and rivers. At times, its power cannot be rivaled.

That is how our hope in Christ should be: to live in the confidence that Christ is real, and he has ordained a future for his followers.

 

 

HOPE IS CHRISTMAS

God has us in the palm of his hand, and he asks us to have hope that he has ordained our future. In John 16:33, God’s Word says,

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"

Jesus is the overcomer.

Hope is Christmas. Hope came for the world in the form of a tiny baby; a tiny baby that lived an unblemished life in order to give us hope — a tangible hope. And that tiny little baby grew to a man who died on a cross for each one of our sins, giving us hope for our future.

 

 

PRACTICING HOPE

Christ’s future looked hopeless to some on the outside who walked with him daily. He preached of an unseen hope daily. This hope was fulfilled at the cross! God’s plan for His one and only son’s life provided hope and a future for us, the followers of Jesus Christ.

So how does one practice hope when all hope seems lost? Having hope is a choice you make daily. Hope is reading God’s Word, believing God’s Word, and living out God’s Word. Hope changes the lens through which you view your past, your present, your unseen future, your relationships, your circumstances, and God’s will for your life. Most importantly, hope gives you peace. A peace that transcends all understanding. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

 

 

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Lindy Jones is the Assistant Director of Christian Life and the lower school STEAM teacher at Mount Paran Christian School.

Students at MPCS participate in weekly chapels, Bible courses, mentoring, service, and missions. Click here to learn more about how a Christ-centered education can benefit your child.  

 

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