Many things are not as they should be in this life. And yet we live by hope – knowing we’re on the way toward a more perfect reality, and ultimately the restoration of all good things. We don’t hope for what we already have, and yet we live with a confident expectation that the best is still yet to come in God’s story.
To be sure, it’s tempting to give up when we must suffer one painful blow in life after another. There’s no ideal time to suffer job loss, tension in our marriage, cancer, the sudden death of a loved one, or the like. And it’s overwhelming when these hits are happening all at the same time, or in close succession of each other.
We’re weary, tired, and worn, and sympathize with Job’s wife – wondering if it’s better just to curse God and die. What’s the point of holding on to our integrity in face of such hardship and pain?
But this is where hope becomes an anchor for our souls. By its very nature it reminds us we’ve not yet arrived at the final realization of all good things. We’re simply on the way.
All the same, there’s confidence in being on the way. It’s a daily reminder that God’s story is not over yet. Even as we are beaten on every side, and suffer heartaches from without and within, we do not lose heart. With Paul, we remain strong and immovable in the work God has given us to do – knowing that nothing we do for God is ever useless.
We might not see how God works everything together in our lifetime. But by faith we trust he’s using our dark days and unseen tears for his glory. And so we keep showing up – not demanding immediate results in this life, but confident we’re making an impact for good as salt and light in the world.
In the end, keep hope alive even through your dark days. God still has work for you to do and your efforts are not wasted. You’re simply still on the way toward the perfection of all good things.
