Our Truth, Our Hope

"Sometimes our lives depend on that which we place Faith in. And sometimes Faith relies on whom we are depending." -Jeff La Villa

I was thinking about what it is like when we know the Truth (Jesus) and yet find our lives unfolding in such a way that has caused us to lose hope in the future. I know I talk a lot about being in the present - living for now - but sometimes when all you see is now, it can be discouraging to see what lies ahead. At times we may feel "stuck" where we're at and not see hope to a "brighter future."

The quote above has always stuck with me, ever since I heard it when I was about 15. We rely on Faith so much as Christ-followers, but sometimes are Faith can depend on what we're placing it in. Sometimes we do depend on our jobs to "provide," or our spouses or - of course - ourselves. We put faith in tangible things - like our bank account - to bring us "hope" for tomorrow. I'm a victim of thinking that, for sure. (And it can be discouraging to most.) But to be honest, that's the most foolish thing ever to think.

Let's look at "whom we are depending..."

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (ESV)

and probably one of the coolest verses ever:

1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV) [How can that not get you pumped!?]

1 Peter 1:13
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

When we know the Truth, yet have no hope, how are we living? Literally. How? I have to believe that knowing the Truth and having Hope go hand-in-hand. Don't you? Do you believe that? Is that manifesting in our minds and in speech and actions? We know that Jesus is the Truth, we know him and now we are confident in His Hope, the one we all celebrated a couple weeks ago at Easter; hope in the conquering of sin, the resurrection of our Lord and our redemption.

When we set our minds on it, we know the Truth and we will know Hope. And we can fight through our days with confidence.

I pray that for all of you today...