Our Living Hope by Sandra Fischer
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
I am in an online support group of people who have a family member with a terminal disease. Some of the posts I read are filled with feelings ranging from anger to grief to despair. I find myself identifying with them, crying out to God at the thought of losing someone so dear.
I think about how another support group may have experienced those same feelings on the day we call “Good Friday.” What seemed to be the end of all hope occurred at a place called Calvary, by the death of Jesus, on a cross between two thieves.
Then, I read other posts from the support group—expressions filled with gratitude, faith, and hope. And I think of another day long ago when such feelings were demonstrated on that first Easter. Christ had risen victorious over death, fulfilling the promise that through Him, we can have eternal life as well! I take heart in the promise.
I ponder the fact that all of us are on the same journey toward leaving this life; death is the reality. But, for us who follow Christ, it is not the end—it’s not Friday anymore—it’s the Easter of our lives, our Resurrection Day. As we await, we hang between two thieves, regrets of the past and fears of tomorrow. We have no control over either. Today—this moment—we can choose to be thankful for what we have—the constant love and presence of God, our living hope, to help, guide and strengthen us in our journey.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
I am in an online support group of people who have a family member with a terminal disease. Some of the posts I read are filled with feelings ranging from anger to grief to despair. I find myself identifying with them, crying out to God at the thought of losing someone so dear.
I think about how another support group may have experienced those same feelings on the day we call “Good Friday.” What seemed to be the end of all hope occurred at a place called Calvary, by the death of Jesus, on a cross between two thieves.
Then, I read other posts from the support group—expressions filled with gratitude, faith, and hope. And I think of another day long ago when such feelings were demonstrated on that first Easter. Christ had risen victorious over death, fulfilling the promise that through Him, we can have eternal life as well! I take heart in the promise.
I ponder the fact that all of us are on the same journey toward leaving this life; death is the reality. But, for us who follow Christ, it is not the end—it’s not Friday anymore—it’s the Easter of our lives, our Resurrection Day. As we await, we hang between two thieves, regrets of the past and fears of tomorrow. We have no control over either. Today—this moment—we can choose to be thankful for what we have—the constant love and presence of God, our living hope, to help, guide and strengthen us in our journey.
Oh,
LORD, how desperately we need to embrace the assurance You’ve given us that
death is not the end—by Your gift of grace in Christ, we have a living hope!
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and inspirational message! Your words will no doubt touch many hearts as it has mine.
I pray comfort to you, and your family, as you through this valley. You will be in my prayers.
And, most important-- Praise the Lord! For we know where we'll be going after this "current journey is complete"
Keep His light shining!
Blessings to you~