It’s natural to hang our hopes on any number of things – believing our preferred outcome will make life better for us. And perhaps it will to a degree. But we set ourselves up for much heartache and grief when our hope is not transcendent – going beyond the particular outcomes of this world to rest ultimately in God himself.
Of course, we all hope for many big and small things throughout life. It might be for a certain job opportunity or simply for our team to win their next game. Or maybe it’s for our desired candidate to be elected or to receive a good health report at our next visit to the doctor.
And, to be sure, there’s deep satisfaction whenever we receive what we hoped for. But our hearts are challenged and the foundation of our faith is exposed when we don’t.
Certainly, we’re disappointed whenever we don’t get what we want. But we’ve not anchored our souls in a transcended hope when our disappointment quickly gives way to despair.
Transcendent hope keeps our eyes focused on God and the restoration of all good things through the work of Christ. And this hope is not dependent on any of the outcomes of this world.
We might not get the job, our team may never win another game, the wrong candidate is in office, and the news from the doctor is not good. But our deep and transcendent hope remains despite all of this and more.
Whatever happens in this life doesn’t deter God from the ultimate good he’s preparing for his own. As such, even when we have to go through many dark seasons of disappointment and grief, we don’t grieve as those without hope. We look to the hills and quiet our souls in hope – trusting the unfailing grace of God.
In the end, whether pleased or disappointed with the outcomes of this life, remember to anchor your soul with a transcendent hope – going beyond the particulars of this world to rest in God himself.
Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash
