The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HOPE (10/29/20)
She laid on the floor with the flyer that just arrived in the mail. Christmas was coming, and Mom would not miss the big green marker circles around all the toys she hoped to get. She dreamed about playing with every one of them.

Christmas came and went. The games, dolls, and things entertained her for a while, then got shoved back into the closet, broken or discarded.

This last year was hectic. As he crossed off another day on the calendar, his eyes fixated on the pamphlet. His mind longingly wandered to beaches, warmth, sunshine, and the well-needed and deserved Christmastime stress-reliever soon to come.

Vacation came and went as beautiful as expected. He returned to work and flipped through the calendar marking-off dates, his hope for the next anxiety relief. They would not come soon enough.

As she rocked in her chair, thumbing through old family photos, memories took her to happy family times. In her heart, she hoped someone would visit her during the Christmas holiday.

Christmas came and went. At least she still had old memories because no new ones were made. She rocked and hoped that maybe the next holiday might bring family visits.

We hope in persons, places, and things that will satisfy our temporary wants and needs. Like a drug, the effects fade once achieved, accomplished, or grasped. A threadlike hope for the future that may or may not happen can disappoint. It can get us through a day but hope that may or may not be fulfilled can be replaced by genuine hope with power in the present. Hope in the savior Jesus.

True hope in Christ brings real blessings for the future, but also power today. It is not sitting and waning over a calendar, swooning over a picture of heaven, or day-dreaming about seeing God someday. Jesus is alive here and now. He came as a babe in swaddling clothes, grew to be a man, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for your sins and mine. His death paid for our sins; his rising from the dead proves his power.

Hope in this Jesus makes today more than anticipation for future gifts. Anticipation’s power keeps us moving, brings joy to life, and a desire to speak about Him. Look at the world differently, thrive through the pain, bear the suffering, get comfort in the sadness; it is all here and now in this moment.

Without Jesus, life’s hope is in people, places, and things that dissipate in time. Put your hope in Jesus for salvation for a timeless future with God and a present in His Holy Spirit’s power to change the here and now.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13 KJV).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 372 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
John Custer
11/05/20
I liked your article. As I have aged, my hope has changed from material things to spiritual things. You acknowledged that in your article.
Barbara Culler 
11/07/20
You nailed it! And I do hope (really) that this places high.
Sue Botte 
11/11/20
Good content. Thank you.
Gina Fifo
11/12/20
Congratulations on placing 3rd! Well deserved!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/12/20
Each small section is a great example of ways people hope in things that can't bring lasting happiness. Congratulations on ranking 3rd in your level and 19th overall. The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.