There is something consistent I have found to be true not only this past year, but my whole life is that I tend to gravitate and cling on to this thing called hope. The word hope is not one used lightly, it’s full of weight, expectancy, promise, and expectation. It can often swing like a pendulum, side to side, from promise to despair. Hopeful to hopelessness. It rises like the dawn of a new day or can feel as dark as the night.
A word with that much weight, it’s important to be cognizant of not only what we put our hope in and how much of it are we pouring into something. It is so easy to become near-sighted, putting all of our hope into the tangible things we can see and that are right in front of us such as:
- Financial Security
- Our Jobs/Businesses
- Relationships
- The Economy
- Political Parties
- Investments
Trying to put all of our hope into anything in this world is like trying to hold onto a fistful of sand. When you first look at it, there is an abundance that you possess. It may feel good and you might even like how it looks in your hands. But the tighter we close our fists and try to get a tighter grip on it, the faster it spills out of the cracks. Until we are eventually left with the messy, residual sand that doesn’t feel or look as good as it once did.
When we put all of our hope in a world that is messy, unpredictable, and full of imperfect people, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. It can be exhausting! A hope that sustains cannot be found in anything of this world.
So, where do we find it?
It is not found only in our successes.
It is not lost in the midst of our failures.
It is found at the intersection of grace and forgiveness.
My hope is found at the foot of the cross and the promise of eternity. As I take a step back and release the stronghold I have on the things in the world, I can remain confident that no matter what is thrown my way, I can hold onto a hope that is found in Christ.
I am not sure which side of the pendulum you are on. Maybe you feel hopeful. Or maybe it seems that all hope is lost. Wherever you are, I challenge you to take an honest inventory of where you are placing all of your hope. Is it in something that can slip through your hands quicker than sand? Or is it in the One who sustains, is steadfast, and has a love that is unconditional. That is where you will find joy despite the pain, peace among the chaos, and will be fulfilled.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:34
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