Oh the hope that is bound up in this passage for those who believe in Jesus Christ. What a
treasure it is to see that the wealth found in Jesus cannot slide into oblivion with the perishable assets of this world's system. While watching the worldly wealth that has been amassed over decades diminish rapidly, one could find themselves headed into a depression of their own. Yet for those of us who are willing to, "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully upon the grace..."(I Pet. 1:13) there is a solidarity of the inner man. As real estate values plummet, as businesses file chapter 11, as stock prices steadily slide down, as politicians fail and government safety nets near the brink of insolvency; the true value of wealth found in the living hope of the Prince of Peace becomes all the more evident. This wealth is stored up in heaven for us, but it is also paying dividends in this life. The dividend paid is one of a "living hope." That's right, Jesus' resurrection breathes life into the deadness of this life. As we become all the more aware of the perishable state of everything we find surrounding our weary souls, we must gird up our minds to stand firmly in the hope of Jesus Christ.
Peter continues,"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love." I Pet. 1:6-7
The church was created for such times as these. We are given the task of sowing the seed of hope in the midst of a world who is convinced there is none. God has even given us this hope as a burden. (Ps 126:5-6) We carry this figurative seed of hope and we're called to sow it as we go about life.
Many Christians today seem to be suffering from Eeyore syndrome (Poohs' donkey friend) walking about saying, as they've heard on Fox News, "Oh bother, it's probably going to rain again today. Oh, well." Its easy to find a reason to complain, worry or be frozen in fear. It's the higher road to sow hope when everyone else is feeding on despair. We have been given this burden, so let us carry it, especially right now.
I feel the burden of sowing the hope as my phone rings constantly with people asking if it is time to invest their money in the Posturepedic (and I don't mean buying stock in the company). I end up reminding brothers and sisters over and over that the only sure thing in life is Jesus Christ. I remind them He is allowing all of this to transpire to test us and see of what we are made of. When true believers become aware that they are being driven by fear or that they lack trust in Jesus Christ, then they are thankful for the lovingly applied rebuke. They usually end up thanking me for setting them straight, but I remind them that He is the ballast that keeps their ship upright in the storm, not me.
Truthfully, when I find myself in a moment of weakness dwelling on the instability of all that is swirling about the nation today, it is at these moments that I am convicted of the insincerity of my own faith when I find this fear. I then have to gird up my own mind for the task at hand, picking up my seed sack of hope and hit the fields. Thank God for His grace in time of need!
Praise God for testing us with various trials to see if we are genuinely His. When we rest assured knowing that we are the richest people on the face of this earth, no matter how much fools' gold we've accumulated, then finally we know that we've passed the test. We can rest in peace because we own the enduring wealth found in The Lord.
"Riches and honor are with Me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold. And My revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:17-21
For clarification - by "Fools' Gold" I mean the wealth of this world which we all know and understand is needed in this life, yet as we see all too well, is perishable.
Thank you for always sowing seeds of hope in my life! With the help of our Father I will do the same for others!
ReplyDeleteI think I am seeing people in my community serve in whole new ways. One of my best friends lost their medical insurance with their job last week, and her 11 year old broke his tooth days later.
ReplyDeleteThe dentist told them to come in and he fixed it, gladly, for free.
My friend cried, relieved and feeling unworthy, thanking Jesus for his mercy during a tough time.
I think we will all come out, stronger and humbled, on the other side of this crisis.