Hope Often Comes From Remembering
With more time at home, comes projects completed that have been put off. One of those projects in my house was completed by Amber and enjoyed by us all. She was able to transfer several years of her video editing prowess to DVDs that we’ve been joyfully watching each evening.
So many memories and so much laughter has erupted in the Berry home, while in the midst of the despair, tragedy, and fear around the world. It seems very surreal to relive all these precious moments, while others are suffering. However, I clearly see each of those moments are fuel for hope.
The Apostle Peter wrote a letter of encouragement to a persecuted, bewildered, and often scared church about 2000 years ago.
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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV)
There is no holding back in the summons to live like Jesus, even when life is really tough. So Peter doesn't lighten our load by saying we don't have to live like Jesus in hard times. Instead he writes something to give us the power to love. The power with which Peter aims to equip these tired saints is the power of hope. If they, or we, are going to love like Jesus loved, even in times of great stress and worry, then they must be filled with "living hope."
Against such anxiety we have to unleash the forces of hope. We must shore up our minds and be calm and hope fully in God who said in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxieties on me because I care for you." We must argue with our soul and say, "Jesus died for my sins. God is not against me but for me. Why am I so down and not feeling there is an end in sight? Hope in God!" It is only with our hope in Jesus, found in the confidence of his resurrection, that we can let hope rise and love our neighbors.
I know the world is terrified right now. I know the news of this age can be grief filled and heart wrenching. There have been many times in the history of God’s image bearers that have been drenched with the same heavy hearts. And each time, God’s children have endured, reached out to those who are scared, and rallied around the truth of God’s eternal love.
By remembering all the good brought by the Promises of God, we can see just how he loves us. Each goofy moment with my kids. Each weird face I made in the camera. Each time we laughed and each time joy was on our faces. Those memories build in my a confidence in the goodness of my Father in Heaven, and hope rises in my heart.
Hold fast my friends. Jesus is here. He feels the tension rising. He longs to free us from it. Cling to the hope he brings, and trust that these trials will pass and that we will endure.