Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11: 1 (ESV)

We’ve been here before. 

Lent, a season of reflection, of faith and drawing nearer to the Hope of all creation, as we remember the journey and sacrifice of Christ for us.

Of the celebration of Easter Sunday and the Risen Christ.

The Living Hope. 

For today and tomorrow.

For always and forever.

Embracing a faith in the assurance of that Living Hope.

But then it will seem to pass from us, as in so many times before. 

And what was there before, will seem to be what is once again.

Facing again a life journey clouded over with ever-present worries, heartaches and uncertainties waiting just beyond the next bend.

We’ve been there before. Feeling all alone. 

Struggling through storms, disappointments, losses, mountains too high, financial fears, valleys too deep and dry, doubts about tomorrow, heartaches which linger, and hopelessness which seems to always loom ahead.

We’ve all been there, are there now, or may be there sometime in the days to come.  

Yet the Living Hope and celebration of the season hasn’t gone anywhere. 

That assurance of our faith remains, ready to guide our steps today and into tomorrow, able to carry us day-after-day into whatever we will face in the future. And willing to free us to be all we were created to be.

The Living Hope. The Risen Christ.

Let me suggest that we embrace these words for our life, from the song, “Living Hope,” written by Phil Wickham—

“How great the chasm that lay between us,
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven, And spoke your name into the night
Then through the darkness your loving kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul,
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope.

Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory, To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The king of kings calls me His own
Beautiful savior, I’m yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope.

Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free,
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain, there’s salvation in your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope,

Oh God, you are my living hope.”

My friends, we’ve been here before. 

In the season of Lent leading to the Easter celebration of the Risen Christ.

The key now, for all our todays and tomorrows, is to remember that in all those days of our journey ahead, our Living Hope is still here, and will forever be here.

For you and for me, in all of our life’s journey—guiding our steps, carrying us into our tomorrows, and freeing us to be all we were meant to be. 

Our Living Hope—Hallelujah.

Amen and Amen!

In His Name–Scott

Take a moment to be blessed by this video of the contemporary Christian group “This Hope,” singing “Living Hope” written by Phil Wickham.