Make a difference – Day 3

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you … 1 Peter 1:3-4

Hope has a dynamic power within each human being. It’s a strong emotion that affects us all. On a superficial level, it can be seen as the sense of optimistic anticipation related to things like the weather, the traffic, completing a task or meeting a friend for coffee. But on a more profound level, it is a force that can carry you through the toughest times. It helps you to carry on even when everything is shouting “give up”.

Peter talks about “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. It’s actually all about who your father is. Your earthly father is one of the most important people in your life and you inherit many things from him, but sadly, everything about him is mortal and is, therefore, limited. What you inherit from him will not last forever and may not always bring you happiness.

When God is your father, however, through the forgiveness of your sins through Jesus’ sacrifice of himself on the cross for us all, your status is changed forever when your life is transformed. Your inheritance is no longer something tangible and finite – it is exceptional and “can never perish, spoil, or fade”. Best yet, it’s kept safe for you in heaven. Your changed status gives you the power to make a difference in this world and to reach out to those who don’t have this living hope.

People everywhere are in need of this living hope, people who need you to make a difference. Proverbs tells us: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). When a person loses hope, because a need doesn’t appear to be coming to fulfilment, he becomes sick and loses his joy in living; but when it is fulfilled, he is transformed, stands tall and grows strong.

Have you ever seen the effect of hope brought to a couple whose marriage is failing; or the woman battling to fall pregnant; or the person waiting for results when a life-threatening illness is possible; or the mother who flees on foot from her war-torn country with her children; or the man looking in the dustbin for food? We need to make a difference.

Will you?