An Atypical Easter, and a Word (Hope)

I spent this past Easter Sunday in what you may call an atypical way. I certainly don't mean that negatively. On the contrary.

I spent Easter Sunday looking after Justin, who has contracted some sort of mystery illness. Don't worry, it's definitely nothing life-threatening. But it gave me further insight to the phrase "in sickness and in health". Since being with him, I've learned more and more ways to show sacrificial love, and I think one of the most profound ways we can show that to one another is in caring for someone when they're sick. Anyway, a brief intro, but I digress. At one point during a quiet moment in the day, I asked myself the ever-popular question: "Why do I believe what I believe?" The following thoughts made their way to my journal, and I'm sharing them here.

"Why do I believe what I believe?" The answer that dawned on me is because anything else seems hopeless. We as humans put our faith in all sorts of things: the government, the President, the Pope, our spouse/significant other, UK basketball, you name it. But all of that, to me, is derived from humanity. Which is shrewd, selfish, eventually, it will let you down. It will hurt us. It will disappoint us. It will leave us asking, "Why? Why would you make such a decision? Why would you do such a thing?"

God is not shrewd. God is not selfish. God will not let me down. God will not disappoint us. God will not hurt us. He will lead us to situations that may make us feel hurt, but He will never hurt us. In fact, through all of life's shrewdness, selfishness, let-down, disappointments, and hurts, He is right there with us. Always. And He knows what hurt feels like. After all, He sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of humanity. Jesus Himself knew too. He asked for another way out. As He prayed in the garden, the Word says an angel came down and strengthened Him. Even the Son of God needed strength. I'm comforted by that. It gives me hope. 

He truly does know! Jesus conquered death to give me life. To give us life! Wrapped up in that image of the empty tomb is life: new life from a risen Savior who loves me so much more than I can ever imagine or know in this lifetime. That is hope. Hope is taking hold of that promise in the Word, "I have written your name on the palm of my hand." Hope is two sinful, broken, bruised, and brokenhearted (in some instances) people coming together in a relationship in which they are doing their best to keep Christ at the center of all of it. Undergoing sanctification to be more and more like Him! Hope is a man on the cross, defeating death to give life.

I'm thankful for hope! It is so much more than just a four-letter word.

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