Emerging Hope

“Optimism is a wish without warrant; Christian hope is a certainty, guaranteed by God himself. Optimism reflects ignorance as to whether good things will ever actually come. Christian hope expresses knowledge that every day of his life, and every moment beyond it, the believer can say with truth, on the basis of God's own commitment, that the best is yet to come.” J.I. Packer

Hats, scarfs, gloves, and layered clothes did little to diminish the cold on our morning walk. The air temperature was 30 degrees (-1C) but the biting wind made it feel like 19 (-7C).

Two miles into our walk, Cay and I spied a lady off the trail to our right. She was in a small community garden, on her knees and statue still. Was she hurt, exercising, or praying?

Coming near, we realized she was taking pictures. Emerging from the dirt and mulch were the first tiny blooms of a long-awaited springtime. She was taking pictures of flowers – she was taking pictures of hope.

Peter’s prayer offers some helpful insights. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

No matter how cold the day, hope is always near. Hidden within the frozen dirt of winter, are the seeds of springtime. Our hope is a Living Hope. Our hope is in the One who emerged victoriously from the ground 2,000 years ago. His resurrection provides the hope of a new birth and eternal springtime.