amy ’ S tidbitS

by Amy Johnson

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary describes hope as a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment. As a verb, definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation.” Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

At the time of this article, we continue to hear the phrase, “we are living in unprecedented times,” as we often impatiently wonder if this pandemic era will ever end. One thing people are looking for is hope. As Christians, we have faith in knowing the One who holds the present and the future in His hands. We understand there is a bigger picture. This world is not our final destination. And, ultimately, God is in control. We have hope because of God and His promises.

At church we recently sang the song, “Living Hope,” in which those two words are repeated multiple times. I have heard the song often, but this time, one word hit me differently. As I sang, I paused. Jesus Christ—our living hope. Yes, He offers hope, but it is not a blind hope, a future hope, or a past hope. Jesus Christ is our Living Hope. He is with us now. Each day we can walk and converse with Him. No moment goes by without His knowing where we are.

While the world continues to dish out negativity regularly, and loss and sorrow swirl around us, let us cling to Jesus Christ and the daily hope He offers. Allow Him to intervene in your day-to-day routine. Rest in the fact that, yes, we have hope in Christ—living hope.

As the old hymn states, “This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” I am thankful for His blood and the living hope I have, knowing He is with me today, and He holds all my tomorrows.