Where does your hope come from?

I had a light bulb moment this morning as I was reading a devotional and enjoying my bible time. That's right folks, you heard me right. I am a Bible NERD. I love reading it. Sure, there are some passages that are hard for me to wrap my mind around...ok a decent number of verses. I pray through them and ask for wisdom to understand.

Today, I was reminded that scripture is fresh and alive! It spoke to me and unlocked understanding. The devotional's topic was hope. It asks, where does our hope come from as people who love and follow Jesus? So, I pose that same question for you. Where does your hope come from?

Did you answer with, Jesus? Me too. When asked to explain the hope I find in Jesus I would answer with:

• I have the Holy Spirit in me to guide me and comfort me

• Jesus died for me, and I get to be with him forever in Heaven

• I was made with purpose, for a purpose, by the creator of the universe

• I've been given giftings and talents to do the good works planned for me long ago

• Jesus is my friend, comforter, counselor, and king

• I've seen how God is faithful to those he loves throughout scripture and cares for them with an unfailing never-ending love

• I get to talk to Jesus through prayer and often feel him impress things on my heart

• I see his goodness and love for me in how he's worked and continues to work in my life

• I have experienced his transformation power through his work in me and seen that power in the lives of others...it is truly awe inspiring

However, the devotional took a different turn. Nicholas McDonald, The Light in Our Eyes, on The Bible App suggests that Christians hope sometimes lies in escaping to heaven. I've grown up in the church and have been a Christian since my teen years and I've heard this said by a few fellow Christians. Something about that idea has never sat right with me. We are created on purpose, for purpose (Ephesians 2:10). We were not created to wait out our time in the world as followers of Jesus, waiting for our time in heaven. We were created for SO MUCH MORE!

God created the Garden of Eden, and it was perfect. When sin entered in, the world was no longer perfect. Sin ushered in pain, suffering, and death. But God had/has a plan to restore all that has been broken. Jesus, his death, and resurrection are part of that plan. Jesus lived a sinless life, first as a carpenter and later healing the sick and the lame and speaking truth to the people he encountered, transforming hearts and lives. He died on the cross taking with him to the grave all of our sin, past, present, and future, and breaking the chains of sin and death. Jesus made it possible for us to be made right with God SO we can be with God forever. He rose and now sits at the right hand of God interceding for us (Romans 8:34).

But here's the part that some may miss! God is actively restoring all that has been broken. Biblically, the word restore means: to return something or someone to a previous, original, or desired state. If you've chosen to follow Jesus, God is actively restoring you, your relationships, AND his creation. God doesn't make junk. He loves what he creates. God is restoring the world he created through his own ways AND through us! That's right. We get to partner with God to restore the world back into its intended state. God intends to bring heaven TO earth. The two places will become one. (Revelation 21:2-3)

Hence, my light bulb moment! I don't know about you, but that lit a fire in my heart this morning. So much so, that I felt I needed to share it with you. We are created to be in relationship with the one who created us. Our purpose is to use the giftings and talents that God has given us to help restore what is broken. His power flows through us by the Holy Spirit. We can do immeasurably more than we can even dream of through his Spirit. This should bring Christians SO MUCH HOPE and joy. Restoration is happening now, and restoration is coming. Will you live your life to the full, living with purpose, to help restore the world? If you are feeling hopeless, this is the cure. May this message bless and encourage you today!

With Love,

Cara