HOPE

Reading E. Stanley Jones' In Christ, as one of my devotionals. He states, "my past is past, buried in His love; my present is His, my future unfolds in Him." This statement speaks of the hope we have in Christ. 'In Christ' is the source of life, joy and hope. As we rush into a new year, may we understand that the time we spend focusing on Christ through His Word and in prayer, will feed our hope. The nightly news will continue to be filled with 'bad news.' The political scene will continue to be frustrating. Relationships in life will continue to be challenging. The stresses and strains of everyday living will continue to be experienced. This is reality and in the middle of what at times is a real mess, Christ's people have hope. A hope that is sure, steadfast, anchored in heaven(Heb.6;19). Peter says this is a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3). Paul says this hope stands in the midst of grief and loss (1 Thess. 4:13). He told the Romans this hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:3). He told Timothy that Christ is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1). My calling is to get close to Christ and stay close. Kyle Strobel says in his book, Metamorpha, "the aim of the Christian life is not independence, but greater dependence; it is intimacy and love, rather than accomplishment and development." Hope comes in one package-Jesus Christ. Christ in us our hope of glory (Col.1:27).