Category: hope

A few of you may have noticed I took a sabbatical from blogging. All the crazy events of this past year toyed with my heart and my head. I had to work through some things before I could see, and hear, God clearly again.

Things are changing rapidly in our country. It was founded as “one nation under God,” but has thrown its Judeo-Christian foundations out the window. The church, when it stands with God and His truth, now stands squarely against the culture. We are more vulnerable to attack from this unredeemed world than we have been for decades.

If we live God-honoring lives, we will be targets. The church in the United States has enjoyed peace and freedom my entire life. I came to think of that as normal. But scripture makes it clear; this season of peace was a blip on the radar screen of church history. Persecution is normal, not peace.

“ Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”                                                                                                                                – 2 Timothy 3: 12-13

So, U.S. church (and I ask this question of myself since I’m also part of the church) are we ready? Every day, we inch closer to losing our freedom to assemble and worship God without harassment. I believe the days of the persecution-free church are coming to a close.

^“Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man.        “                                                           – Luke 6:22

We shouldn’t be surprised. These verses use words of certainty like “when” and “will” not words of possibility like “if” or “might.” Persecution is already a reality for the church in much of the world. Will we follow their example and be faithful to stand with Christ, no matter the cost?

Or maybe you’re wondering, why should we stand? Why not just go along to get along?

To borrow a phrase from an old hymn “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through.” Our primary calling, as Christ-followers, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That requires obedience to God’s word, submission to God’s revealed will and ongoing direction, and unshakable hope for eternal things yet to come.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

– Matthew 5:10

And how will we stand? How will we stand when we must give up our comforts and conveniences? How will we stand when they come for our homes? How will we stand when they come after our churches and families? How will we stand when it may require our very lives? By the power of God! By the ministry of the Holy Spirit! To the glory of God! To our eternal reward!

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

                                                                                – Romans 8:16-17

I loved blogging about the amazing ways God reveals Himself through creation. I still see His sovereign hand at work all around me. But in these times, I’m convinced the church needs to prepare herself for rocky days ahead.

So, the focus of my blog will shift to these issues; spurring one another on to love and good deeds, reminding one another of the eternal rewards waiting for those who are faithful to God to the very end, and watching the signs pointing to Christ’s return as they unfold before our eyes. Most crucially, reminding all of us as this worldly battle rages on, Jesus has already won the victory.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

                                                                                          – John 16:33

Today I enjoy the payoff for those April rains. The mayflowers along my tree line are in full bloom.  Several spring bloomers go by the common name “mayflowers.” In my childhood home we assigned this name to round-lobed hepatica. I have only a few in my yard, but they’re thick in the woods behind my parent’s house. 

As a child, I loved picking small bouquets of these dainty flowers, in their various shades of lavender, blue, white and pink. Their fuzzy stems would push through fall’s brown litter and burst open. Early bloomers, they were showing off alongside the bloodroot, before the wood anemone, mayapples, and trilliums got started with their spring displays. Each year I looked forward to holding them close to my nose and soaking in their heavenly aroma. In mild years, they would appear early in May. When the winter was harsh, their arrival would be delayed a bit. But I knew they would not disappoint me.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Proverbs 13:12a) We can all think of times we’ve set our hopes on uncertain things, only to nosedive in disappointment when they don’t work out as we’d hoped. The vacation cancelled because of unexpected illness. The home improvements delayed by car repairs. The solitary moments interrupted by divine appointments. Or the promotion (with raise) that was given to someone else in the department.  

“…but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs13:12b) When we set our hopes on things which are certain, we’re never disappointed. And, of course, the only certain things in this world are the things of God. The redemptive power of Christ’s shed blood. The constant, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The immutability of God’s divine nature. The reliability of God’s Word. The certainty of eternity.

As surely as winter ushers in spring, our faith in Christ’s sacrifice ushers us into God’s family. (John 1:12) As surely as God sends the spring rains, He sends His Spirit to indwell every believer. (Ephesians 1:13) As surely as the unchanging march of the seasons, God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) As surely as the mayflowers bloom, the truths in God’s eternal word live and grow in our hearts. (Isaiah 40:8) As surely as summer follows spring, eternity follows mortality. (John 5:28)

Our hope is in the Lord. He will not disappoint us.