Tim Timmons - Awake Our SoulsSample

Right Beside Me

My whole life when I’ve used the word “hope” in regards to Jesus, it has been in what he can do for me. I hope that he heals me. I hope that I get to live long enough to see my kids graduate and get married. I hope that He’ll provide enough funds each month for my family. I hope that my kids follow Jesus all the days of their lives. What are your hopes? List some of them.

All of the hopes that I just shared and the ones that came to your mind are beautiful prayers and desires for sure, and we should continue to bring them to God because He loves us and loves giving good gifts. But, like with anything, whenever we only see half of the story and not the whole, we can’t experience the fullness of Jesus’ invitation.

Yes it is a gift for us to bring those hopes to Jesus, but in reality how often do we say that Jesus IS our HOPE? Let me make this distinction a little clearer. Is our hope in what Jesus can do for us, or is Jesus our hope? What if nothing that we we’re hoping for him to do happens, will He still be enough for us? What if this week we focused on Jesus AS our one and only hope? Not what he can do for us, but that He IS for us? What if we recognized His nearness as the greatest gift of all?

I put my hope In You
I can brave the storm
I can walk the seas
I can step out on the waves
Because you’re with me
I can overcome
I can walk in peace
When it all seems lost
You are right beside me

The story of Jesus inviting Peter to walk on water is a perfect example of where our eyes are to be focused (Matthew 14:22-33). Not focusing on the blessings but on the Blessor. Not letting our hopes be drowned by the raging storm but fulfilled in the person of Jesus.

Let’s make Jesus our hope and vision all day long. Use these lyrics from Right Beside Me or the song to remind your soul to seek first JESUS today!

Pray this with me; Jesus fix my eyes on YOU and YOU alone today.