Hope

Hope

We all thrive on hope, but upon reflection, hope often never fully, if at all, reaches reality as we hoped or expected. Growing and maturing have given me, over time, a perspective that we too often hope in the wrong things.   I have come to realize that hope is often temporal at best and frequently ephemeral.

An insightful explanation of my thoughts can be found in a recent article by respected Christian culturalist Jim Denison. He described hope as follows:

“Humans are inherently drawn to hope: a sense that our lives are progressing along a trajectory that will ultimately lead to a better future than the present. We pursue education with the expectation of acquiring knowledge and achieving success that will position us for fulfilling careers. We enter the workforce with the hope that our earnings and responsibilities will provide our lives with purpose and security. We marry and establish families with the aspiration of creating homes filled with mutuality and joy. However, we possess an inherent awareness that we are inherently inadequate to fully satisfy this yearning of our hearts. We recognize the necessity of seeking the assistance of others if we are to fully grasp the hope we desire.” I would go on to say that even with the assistance of others, hope is temporal, not lasting, though there might be glimmers of what could be. For example:

During my tenure as a senior pastor in several churches, I encountered instances where few fulfilled the hopes I had for them. My aspirations were met with disappointment, and so were theirs.

Some pastors aspired to achieve success by ascending to larger, more affluent congregations. However, most of them failed to attain this goal because it was dependent upon others. If they did, they discovered that the reality was often less fulfilling than their expectations. Hope was lost, and disappointment set in.

Most marriages commence with hope, but if the increasing divorce rates serve as any indication, these hopes are ultimately negated, and we jump ship or live in resignation and disappointment.

Raising children presents a significant challenge, and we are willing to confront this challenge and make sacrifices for their well-being in order to ensure their success in all aspects of life. However, when a child strays from the values and teachings we instilled in them, we experience a profound sense of failure and loss of hope, and some give up.

Even in retirement, we harbor the hope that it will be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. However, we soon realize that it may not meet our expectations. Some individuals lose their sense of purpose, meaning, and ultimately, hope.  

Recently, a close friend of mine, who has recently retired, expressed feelings of marginalization, devaluation, and neglect due to our culture’s tendency to undervalue age and wisdom. Despite his exceptional leadership and mentoring abilities, he found himself largely forgotten upon his retirement. While some fellow pastors occasionally reached out, it was for funerals. When I retired, I had this grand thought that I’d be asked by any number of pastors to fill their pulpit while they go on vacation, take medical leave, etc. But, after 12 years, I’m still waiting for that first call. 

Individuals experience periods of hopelessness, albeit for varying durations. However, I conclude with a brief illustration and final observation.

One day, my wife Becky took me shopping, despite my aversion to the activity. Her persistence and arm-twisting eventually overcame my reluctance. At the end of the day, we purchased three new pairs of slacks, two shirts, and one tie. What I did not anticipate was the unexpected sense of hope that emerged. Let me explain.

Residing in a retirement community can be both exhilarating and beneficial. However, we are acutely aware that the end of life approaches more rapidly than birth. This realization can be disheartening. The new clothes provided me with a sense of hope, as they instilled the hope that my life has a longer duration and that death is not imminent. We attended a concert in Greensboro and ventured outside our usual social circle at RL to watch a Minor League AAA baseball game with friends. These experiences allowed me to momentarily forget age and the accompanying physical ailments that we are acutely aware of in a retirement community, even as nice as the one where we are located.  Getting out and about fosters a temporary sense of hope that there is still much to experience in life.

However, upon reflection, these clothes will eventually wear out, our friends will relocate, and our baseball team may not qualify for the playoffs. Consequently, I find myself reverting to the familiar state of marginalization and hopelessness. 

It is amusing to observe the sources of hope that I have resorted to, when the genuine hope that can be transformed into reality lies in God through Christ. Scriptures provide guidance on this matter:

Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB):

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

James 1:17 (HCSB): Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

Romans 8:37 (HCSB): No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.

Matthew 28:20b (HCSB): “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And, in Heaven believers will reside in a prepared place with many rooms (John 14:2), enjoying eternal life and reunion with Christ. 

Just think of what life in Heaven will be like:

No More Suffering: Revelation 21:4 promises the end of tears, death, mourning, and pain.

The Presence of God: We will know God and God will dwell directly among His people (Revelation 21:3).

A Prepared Place: Jesus promises a prepared place for believers (John 14:2).

Perfection and Beauty: The joys prepared by God exceed human imagination (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Resurrected Bodies: Believers will be raised in glory and power (1 Corinthians 15:43). 

How shall we then live, now: 

As Citizens of Heaven: Believers are citizens of Heaven, awaiting the Savior (Philippians 3:20).

With a focus on Eternity: Scripture encourages setting the mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Knowing of our “Blessed Hope”: An incorruptible inheritance is reserved in Heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3-5). 

It is when temporary hope fades that the “blessed hope” of God in Christ is deepened. Our awareness of His Grace, Mercy, His life-giving Spirit, is the “blessed hope” that only ends when it becomes our reality and thus our joy.

Occasionally, I visit a daycare center with a relative who attends with others who have memory loss due to dementia. The last thing the attendees do before they leave is sing hymns. It astounds me how many of them know the words and sing them with joy and enthusiasm because the one thing they have not lost is the “blessed hope” of God in Christ. While we were all singing “Amazing Grace,” one lady, who wasn’t conversant, grabbed the mic from the attendant and started singing the words with a smile on her face that was not there before.  She, like the others, clings to it as their memory declines until there is nothing else but “blessed hope.” “Blessed hope” is real, lasting, and is the bridge that takes us from this life to our eternal reality in the “sweet by and by” where we shall “meet on that beautiful shore.” Let us hold on to God, who is the author and perfector of that hope, the “Blessed Hope.” And as our God is eternal, so is His hope, which leads us to His Kingdom.

Grace and Peace,

Quentin 

Sharecropper’s Inheritance

May, 2026