Mystery and Promise: Hope and a Future
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 9:31AM I ran out of steam yesterday, physically and mentally...but mostly mentally. At the end of the day, when I normally write blog posts, I was empty. Not a single meaningful sentence was in my brain.
So I went to bed.
This morning, however, I was thinking about a conversation that I had with Michaela yesterday afternoon. Looking around the house this morning, feeling overwhelmed by all that I need to do, I remembered what I told her.
We were talking about Jeremiah 29:11, which is a familiar verse to many: "...For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I told her that the best way to read that verse is through the cross. Ultimately, God's plans for us, to give us hope and a future, are completely rooted in, binded to, secured by, and bouyed by Christ's atoning work: through his perfect obedience to his father, his willing sacrificial death on the tortuous cross, and his victorious triumph over death and the grave.
There are many times in our lives when we see bad things happen to people, people we think are good and whom we love. A verse like Jeremiah 29:11 is confusing at a time of loss and grief. If God's plans for us include things like prospering and not harming then why do such painful things happen?
It's simple and difficult at the same time. We must look further ahead. I believe that God does have good plans for us here and now. Our hope and future start on this side of Heaven. But they're just beginning...the reward of hope and a forever future are what we look forward to! I have to remind myself of this so often. I don't think it's platitudinal to say that we are looking at all things through Jesus' life and death. Actually, his life and death and resurrection give all things their true meaning, and what could be more practical than that? I'm praying today for a sharper mind and eye.
Reader Comments (1)
So good Christina. Having walked a hard-ish road recently I clung to this verse (among many) because I just KNEW that in the end I would "prosper". God is good!