Infinite Hope

It was a strange, wonderful birthday party. The birthday girl’s name was Hope. Only fifteen or so people came, but the get-together had all the ingredients of an epic event. There were warm, loving words spoken, laughter and tears shared, and some surprise guests. Even Santa Claus showed up, splendid in a rich red coat lined with snow white fur. It was a very emotional evening. At one point I spotted Santa quietly sobbing.
It was the night Hope was baptised, and it happened just one day after she turned eleven. Hope had wanted to let everyone know that she was a Christian. She is young, but hers is no naive faith. Hope has already experienced more pain than most adults encounter in a lifetime. But through it all, this little girl is a believer. Hope has hope. She has a hope that nothing can suppress. Infinite hope.

Hope is a word that mingles optimism with uncertainty. We hope it won’t rain on the wedding day, and try to ignore the weather forecaster’s gloomy prediction of a deluge. We read chilling statistics about cancer and hope we won’t be among those who develop rogue cells.
Some of our hopes are just wishful thinking, when we dream impossible dreams. And yet sometimes authentic hope does triumph against all the odds. Martin Luther King Jr battled prejudice and oppression, and suffered many disappointments as he fought. Hope fuelled his speeches. He famously had a dream, and led a wonderful revolution against decades of injustice. That dream cost him his life, but the hope he fostered lives on.
Hope changes the world. Hope changes us. We all need hope. So where can we find real hope that is deeper than superstition or smiley it’ll-all-be-alright-on-the-night positive thinking? The song says, ‘Don’t worry – be happy’. But tantalizingly, that ditty doesn’t tell us why we should be happy. Is there really a reason to smile? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. There is good news.

The Bible describes God as ‘the God of hope’ (Romans 15:13). Christianity makes a very strong claim – one that millions have found to be true. The Christian message is that true hope is available right now, through Jesus Christ.
Whatever our family history, whatever the circumstances of our birth, the fabulous truth is that we were all created by a God who loves us. A love story preceded us. That same loving God wants us to live according to the way we were designed – in a daily relationship with him, on Mondays as well as Sundays. Hope is to be found, not in an idea, a philosophy, or even a religion, but in a living friendship with God. He wants us to experience his involvement in our lives today. Help is at hand to deal with the enemies of hope that stalk us – our weaknesses, addictions, fears, acts of selfishness and greed.

Jesus showed us how to really live on planet earth, by his teaching and example. Then he went to the cross, and there he made a way for us to know God now. But there was one final, ultimate reason for hopelessness, and it waits for us at the end of life. It’s death. Funerals are often void of hope: no wonder the Bible calls death ‘the last enemy’ (1 Corinthians 15:26). It’s a foe that threatens us all. The great news is that death is the hope-killer that’s been killed. Three days after he was placed in a tomb, Jesus was raised to life. He took death on, and won. Jesus is alive, and wants us to begin a revolutionary friendship with him now that will last forever. True hope is born in us when we invite him to take charge. Christian hope is about being assured rather than hoping for the best. It’s solid and firm, like a ship’s anchor (Hebrews 6:19). The question remains: what is our response? Hope is a decision to invite the God of hope to be our God.

The invitation is offered to everyone: no exclusions. The Bible says of Jesus, ‘In his name the nations will put their hope.’ (Matthew 12:21) His message of hope is for the whole world. That means me and you. And yet it’s not just about us, because those who find hope want to pass it on.
Those who choose to make him king of their lives then live to see his rule established in the earth. They work with him to see justice for the oppressed. To make poverty history, and end the blight of hunger. They realise that the planet belongs to God, and treat the environment with respect.
And they discover that he’s with them through the darkest days. Hope is not just there when the sun shines, but through pain, suffering and even death. God is with them through it all.
That’s why an eleven-year-old called Hope was baptised. Hope lived life with faith; she looked death in the face and with a smile, stared it down. And we can, too.

Prayer

God of hope, come and take your place at the centre of my life.
I offer myself to you. Save me from the hopelessness of a life without you. My independence days are over now – please take charge of me.
I embrace your ways, and choose to be your follower, your apprentice. Thank you for all that you have done at the Cross. All that I regret has been dealt with there. Thank you that you beat even death itself – because of you, I can live now, and live with you forever.
Change me, renew my priorities, and let me live for you and with you from this day forward – whatever comes my way.
God of hope, be my hope, always.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.

Are you looking for fresh hope? If you have prayed this prayer or want to know more about Christian hope, send off the coupon on page 8 for more information and your free copy of ‘Infinite Hope’.