The Power of Hopeنموونە

The Power of Hope 

 Hope can be a really tricky concept. For many people, the word “hope” has lost so much of its power because it’s become synonymous with wish. But hope is so much more than a wish. 

The unfortunate reality is that when hope loses its meaning, it also loses its power. 

So what is hope? Hope is the belief that the future can be brighter and better than the past, and that we actually have a part to play in making it happen. 

Deep down, all of us have a desire to be significant. We want to make a difference. We want our lives to matter. Where does that come from? 

It comes from being made in the image of the God who is over and above all of space, time, and matter. 

The Bible tells the story of God, the world, and us. It’s a story that begins with a loving Creator bringing the entire universe into existence at the sound of His voice. Then, as the final act of creation, God created human beings in His own image. What does that mean? It means that we are so much more than the sum of our parts. We are more than atoms, molecules, feelings, and desires. To be human means being made in the image of the God of heaven and earth. All of us have been made with the purpose of partnering with our Maker. 

But that wasn’t enough for us. God wanted to partner with us, but we wanted to rule over Him. In a historic moment known as the Fall, creation rebelled against the Creator. 

Humanity’s relationship with God was fractured.

The image of God in us was marred by sin. 

The cosmos was corrupted. 

Our purpose was distorted. 

Goodness was violated. 

Shalom was vandalized. 

Hope was lost.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 NIV 

Eventually, hope was restored and humanity was redeemed. The King of Creation stepped onto the stage of history in the person of Jesus to undo the damage that had been done and defeat the powers that held humanity captive. 

This is why the central message of Christianity has always been called good news. Because through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, humanity has been rescued from sin and death, and all of creation is being restored. As redeemed and rescued people, we have been adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters. As redeemed and rescued people, we have been invited into God’s mission as partners. 

This is what it means to be the Church. A community of hope-filled people bringing hope to a hurting world. And all of us have a part to play.