Hope

This weekend we celebrate the single most powerful event since the creation of the world.  The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  It seems that every year, something new or fresh impacts me that never has before.  This year that “thing” of Easter is HOPE.

Hope has played over and over again in my mind the last several months.  The hope we have in trials, the hope we have life, the hope we have in dreams, the hope we have in loss, the hope we have in death.  In all of life’s situations, there is a theme of hope.

Scripture has countless mentions of hope.  But the two that have always stood out the most to me are:

Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord.  “I want you to enjoy success.  I do not plan to harm you.  I will give you hope for the years to come.”

And

Hebrews 6:19 – “Our hopeis certain.  It is something for the soul to hold on to.  It is strong and secure.  It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain.”

Another translation of that verse in Hebrews says “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul”.  I love those verses.  First the promise of a future.  And second a hope that anchors our souls.

That verse in Hebrews has taken on such a vital significance for me in the last 5 years or so.  That anchoring hope of salvation, that anchoring hope of an eternal home with Jesus, has steadied my faith in strongest of storms.  It has reminded me that my hope isn’t in anything this world can give or take.  It has reminded me that regardless of what life throws my way, the hope of heaven outweighs it all.

When Jesus went to the cross, most of the Christian world at that time believed that all hope was lost.  But that cross is where hope was born.  That cross is where hope burst onto the scene and secured…anchored…our souls for eternity.  Yes, Jesus died that we might have life.  But Jesus also died that we might have hope.  In abundance.

That anchoring hope has become so significant in my life that for a while I’ve contemplated a permanent reminder.  A reminder that is always with me…whether my iPhone or Bible are with me or not.  This year, as an early birthday present, and just before Easter, I got my permanent reminder.

Chances are a lot of you reading this are dealing with something this Easter season where you need to be reminded of your hope.  You do have hope.  It’s your anchor.  Hold tight to it.  Allow your soul to hope in all of the promises that the Cross gives to you.  And if you don’t know Jesus, like really know Him, please PLEASE reach out to me.  Or someone you know who can help you get to know Him.