Don't Let Go of Hope

I'm not sure why I let my family talk me into watching a movie from a genre not among my preferred, but I did. For two hours I watched them close their eyes or look with fear and suspense. And I too, admittedly, felt the grip of uncertainty, occasionally.

As with any movie, from any genre, there is always a gem of "wow truth" that echoes. In this particular movie it was a line that spoke hope in the midst of hopelessness. As the narrative flowed, the message was undaunting. Yes, the future may look bleak, but casting a vision of hopefulness is far better that relinquishing your future to a dark, bleak possibility. What a message for our times.

While people fight out the politics, debate the policies, and separate with polarizing emotions both in Washington and the streets of our country, in Christ we have a more dependable foundation. This foundation gives us a brighter vision both of the times and the future.

Our foundation is Christ and the joy and peace He delivers. These qualities cannot be managed and dispensed by people or policies, but are granted by a saving relationship with Jesus. The challenge, the decision for us is what to do with Christ. Will we allow Him to be the answer?

As the familiar hymn that has shaped Christian thougth for generations reminds us "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness." So we make our exit from this pause to to think on hope with a word from Scripture,

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made

made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him

are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him

glory, so that your faith and hope are in him.