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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HOPE (10/29/20)
My life as a follower of Jesus Christ began at a unique time in the history of God’s people. Teaching on end times, that period preceding the return of the Lord Jesus for his church, was at a fever pitch. My introduction to this came in the form of a Sunday school class where the last book of the Bible, the revelation of Jesus Christ, was being taught. To say I was in over my head was an understatement. Much of the imagery was lost on me at the time, but what I do recall was how the words made me feel. Things would get very bad before they got very good and that was a source of fear for a teenage boy just beginning to come to terms with his life and what he wanted to be when he grew up.

As I have matured both in age and as a Christ follower, I have gained a better perspective on the truths revealed in God’s Word not only in its final book, but throughout regarding the end of all things and the return of Jesus for His church. I have noticed an unfortunate tendency for those who should see this as a source of expectation and hope instead reacting to these truths with fear and uncertainty. I have encountered too many Christ followers who cling to their lives in this world and fear what they have being taken away when Jesus was clear that our hope is never to be in the things of this world. We are not to love this world or the things in it. He is preparing a place for us and that place is where our treasures should be along with our hope for eternity.

I have met Christians from all over the world and have noticed this malady is much more common in the American church particularly among those whose lives are comfortable. It is an unfortunate truth that the more we have of this world’s goods, the more we focus on keeping them and making them our source of happiness. It is usually those who have little who have the proper attitude that everything is from God and anything we have is merely ours for a time and to be used for the glory of God. The future is never to be about how much we can keep, but what our Lord has prepared for us.

Hope in this world is never real hope. This world is passing away. God has so much better, but we can only see it by looking up. The more we focus on the things of this world, the more we are caught up in the intricacies of this world system, the farther we get from our true source of hope and joy. Jesus reminded us that foundation is everything. Putting our hope in this world’s goods and its system will always lead to failure in the end, but putting our hope in what God has said and in his system is the only sure way to live. There is a way to live happily ever after, but only if we look up. As I was writing this, I received a vision of an eagle flying over a vast landscape below. I believe God was encouraging me that only he can see the big picture. The short-term view often looks bleak, but his future is clear and sure just don’t forget to look up and smile.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
John Custer
11/05/20
You are truly more perceptive than most Christians. I refer to them as Cultural Christians. May you continue to look up and give Hope to many others!!!
Marlene Custer 
11/06/20
A good reminder of where our focus needs to be!
Barbara Culler 
11/07/20
It's my full hope that God's got this!