As I type on my keyboard, our son is about to travel to the airport in Nashville and board a flight out west. To give you a timeline, I’m typing on a Friday, the article is due Monday morning, and he and his group are due to return Monday night (I think). I trust in prayer and safe, commercial flights. But, knowing my baby boy is to going to be in the air for four hours makes me fretful. While the plane is in the air, I will pray several times for safety and thanksgiving. But, while he’s gone, I plan to reflect on the ways I can be a better father, husband, and servant.
Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder! I am gaining a new understanding of this thought for sure this weekend. Additionally, my son’s long distance trip is creating hope in me; hope that I really will see him in a few days. This has challenged me to dig a little deeper and focus on hope in terms of the shortness of this life and the length of eternity! Paul Sain in his book, Ready Reference for Growing Christians, Facts & Scriptures on 100 Biblical Subject, highlights these points & Scriptures regarding hope:
As Christians, may we consider this about hope:
· Hope is the anchor of the soul. Hebrews 6:19
· We have hope in Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:19
· We “plow” in hope. I Corinthians 9:10
· We rejoice in hope. Romans 12:12
· We abound in hope. Romans 15:13
· We have faith & hope in God. I Peter 1:21
· Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope: I Corinthians 15:17
· We hope for eternal life. Titus 1:2; 3:7
· We hope for a better home. II Corinthians 5:2
· We have hope because of God’s promises. Acts 24:15
Jesus Christ is the foundation of faith and hope! Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as this, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We have hope because of our faith. We have faith because of the sacrifice of Jesus! I so look forward to seeing my son in a few hours. Like the father in the Parable of the Lost Son, I plan on running and hugging my son tightly (he probably won’t let me kiss him on the neck like we read in the text). I have faith and hope I will see him soon. Please focus on the hope we have because of Jesus and the promises we have because of God.
