The Gift of Hope

While we were still sinners—at our lowest and beyond all hope as the world sees it—Christ Jesus gave us the ultimate gift: His salvation. Though the final fulfillment of that gift comes at the end of all time, when we are reunited in heaven with our Lord, Jesus did not leave us hanging. He gave us a gift we can duplicate and share with everyone we meet. We may not be able to give our salvation to another, but we can give them hope.

Our hope is in the Lord, who gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and who raises people from the dead. In a world that too often feels hopeless, we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to give people what they do not have: hope. Many people cannot fathom a man who can heal others like magic. They cannot put their faith in someone they have not met, because too many humans they know have let them down. Others have heard or learned who Jesus is but have been hurt by those who taught about Him—or possibly even taught incorrectly—and have thus turned their backs on Him.

So, how do we help people see Jesus for who He really is? What can we give them so they may come to know God in a more meaningful way?

Give Hope

Hope is our anchor. When the storms roll in and all seems lost, it is hope that keeps us rooted in the Truth. We were once lost, empty, broken, and afraid. Not all of us have faced a crisis of faith, but having repented and surrendered our lives to Christ, we acknowledge that we were once too far gone for heaven. It is Jesus who bridged that gap and paid for those sins. Jesus is our Teacher, our Master, and the ultimate Guide. By living our lives to be more like Him, we are no longer lost and alone. We’ve been to our bottom—and with Jesus, we have risen to who we are now. We know what it’s like to live without hope, and we can relate to those who still cannot see it.

Jesus left His disciples—and us—with a call to arms: love God and love people. Our ability to follow all the other commandments hinges on our understanding of how to do both. In the face of opposition from the world and the Pharisees alike, the late Phil Robertson would say, “Love God, and love people. What problems could be solved if we just started there?” Because we know God loves us—and loves people and longs to be reunited with them—it is immeasurably important that we learn how to love them well. It is our duty and honor to serve God by shepherding the lost sheep. In a darkened world, the greatest way I know to love people is to give them hope.

You are not alone.
You have not been forgotten.
You are seen.
You are heard.
You are loved.

For every darkness, there is a Light.
For every hurt, there is a Healer.
For every fear, there is a Savior.
And for every doubt, there is Hope.

Do not be manipulated by our enemy, the evil one, into thinking that what you do or say does not matter. Do not let his fear tactics herd you into the darkness. You are a mighty warrior, a good and faithful servant, and what you do with your time on this earth makes all the difference in the Kingdom. Equip others to know their worth and join the fight against evil. Show them that there is a way to overcome all things—even death—through our Lord Christ Jesus. Give the gift of hope every chance you get. Be an anchor during someone else’s storm, and experience the moment they meet Jesus on the water, above the waves.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Samantha Moser is a disciple of Jesus who has served in various ministries, often simultaneously, over the last 12 years, most consistently in KidMin. She and her husband, Dallas, homeschool their four children with an emphasis on biblical foundations, world history, and life skills. The couple volunteers as Sunday School teachers for nursery through kindergarten, and Samantha has been a leader in various areas and ages within KidMin for the last six years. This year, she served as VBS director for the first time and can now say she has done every role within VBS. Samantha believes having two sons and two daughters gives her a thorough perspective on what boys and girls are facing today. The Moser family is passionate about serving Jesus and filling needs in all areas of their lives. When they aren’t at church, they enjoy camping and managing their cat, two dogs, and nine chickens.