Foundations: Story of Hope

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a NIV)

Hope tells a story.

Hope is the word that indicates who or what we believe truly holds our future. The source of our hope is revealed in our actions. We always make decisions today based on who or what we believe ultimately holds our tomorrow.

Therefore, we are practically incapable of lacking hope. Though we have a great capacity to misplace our hope. “Some trust in chariots… but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” says the psalmist.

So, since the source of our hope for the future always dictates our actions in the present, discipleship is really a call to put our hope in Jesus Christ. Not only in mental assent, but in practical living.

Only someone who believes that Jesus Christ holds their future–that is, that He is their hope–would dare to live according to his life and teachings (“teach them to obey everything I have commanded you“). Only someone who believes that Jesus Christ is their hope could sustain the energy to “work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling” in the confidence that it is simply holy participation (“for it is God who works in you”).

Hebrews 6:19a says that “hope” doesn’t mean “wish,” which is squishy. Hope is like an anchor, “firm and secure.” That’s the promise of Christ–“an anchor for the soul.”

So, the questions are: In what are we placing our hope, really? Do we dare place our hope in Christ? If so, how would we live differently?

Prayer: God, convert my hope fully to Christ. Grant me the grace and courage to live my today in the confidence that you hold my future. Amen.