Jesus, Our Living Hope

It’s funny the places we run expecting to find hope. It’s somewhat like a game of hide and seek – we search the obvious places first. For example, wouldn’t we expect to find hope in the relief of answered prayers, the resolution of difficult problems, the restoration of troubled relationships, the conquered addiction, the landing of the dream job, or the ease and comfort of a life free of heartache.

I find myself needing to be reminded time and time again that my hope will not be found in life’s circumstances that are fixed and finished, settled and solved. And just this morning, I had to chuckle as God spoke this truth through one of my favorite verses:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” (1 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Quite a perspective shift – right? I can’t tell you how much comfort and hope I’ve discovered as God has opened my heart to understand the eternal truths described here.

There is purpose in our pain, glory in our groanings, hope in what’s hidden, and transforming life to be found in what’s wasting away. Eternal trumps earthly… EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

I wonder what would happen in the moments of our days if we dared to look beyond what our eyes can see?

Even now, my heart overflows with hope as I dare to look beyond an empty grave into the eyes of my Risen Lord and Redeemer.

“Praise 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.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Jesus Christ – my Living Hope – “He is not here; he is risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6

Isn’t it surprising that our Living, Eternal, Unshakable hope is found, not in what’s seen … but in what’s missing. The grave is empty … the stone rolled away … The Resurrection and the Life had the final say that day and everyday throughout all eternity.

Jesus’ groanings on the Cross have been transformed into Glory!

May the Risen Glory of Jesus Christ fill our hearts … eclipsing what is seen by what is unseen. And may we learn to find hope, not in the resolution of our situations, but in the Greatest Resolution of all time.

Eternal trumps earthly … EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.