Hope: now there is a broad subject. At its base it is a pretty generic term, used commonly without much thought or deep meaning. We hope to get to work on time, hope for a promotion, hope our team wins the game, just generally hope something good happens in any given situation. But the definition according to Webster is deeper and more specific than that. "To cherish a desire with anticipation" certainly sounds more poetic and involved than a catchy presidential campaign motto(sorry, had to throw that shot in there). Not just to want something to happen or even desire or anticipate an event. The key word in that definition is Cherish. "To entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely" is the description I like best of cherish. When you hope to get to work on time it is simply a passing thought, a desire to maybe appease your boss or simply avoid their wrath. It may be a thought of getting in and out of work quickly so you can do something you truly cherish. But this is not real hope. You are not eagerly anticipating getting to work and odds are you don't cherish work to the extent of anticipation and desire to be there.
So what defines hope? I think that varies from person to person, based upon where you are at, your individual struggles, beliefs and desires in life. For me I hope a lot of things: I hope that God continues to work in me, to refine me and purify me. I hope He continues to work His redeeming grace through me and use me to show His love to others. I hope that God leads me and my future wife's heart together and to love her as Christ loves me. I hope to love my family more. I hope in the salvation He has freely given to me to secure a place in His presence for all eternity. These are all things I cherish deeply and eagerly anticipate with all the giddiness of a child on Christmas morning. How about you? What do you hope for? I would love to hear what you cherish and desire.
I do genuinely hope this has blessed you in some way and maybe challenged you to take stock of where and in whom we place our hope. Too many times I place my hope in things that disappoint and fail to satisfy. When we "hope" in something lets ask if it is something we truly cherish or whether we should cherish it. There is one person, Jesus Christ, who we can hope in and put all our other hopes into and will never be disappointed. He should be our ultimate hope, the ultimate desire that we cherish with anticipation.
Ps 39:7 "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you."(ESV)
Hebrews 6: 13-20 "13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself, 14saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, 18so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (ESV)
Man, that was amazing...I really needed that especially during these times. I love God with all my heart and I hope to set a good example daily no matter what kind of day for my future wife(Casey) and her boys. I just hope for them to have a good upbringing despite my own personal situations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Man, keep up the great work as always. God Bless You.