“Put Hope within reach”? It starts with me. Is my hope anchored to The Hope in such a way that it shows no matter my circumstance? Do my students see hope in me when things are going badly?
1 Peter 3:15 “…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
If everything is rosy, and everything is going great, does hope really show itself then? Not really; most everyone is positive during those times. When true hope shines, it is in the midst of trials and suffering. Suffering is the context of this passage.
This is a very convicting and challenging Scripture for me, because it clearly communicates that others should see hope in my life despite my suffering, and that I need to be ready to give a gentle, respectful explanation for my hopefulness. When all hope seems lost, are my heart and mind anchored to The Hope, so that it shines through my life in the darkest times? And am I ready to communicate that hope?
Also see 1 Peter 1:3-8, 13; Hebrews 6:19.
Discuss – Evaluate – Execute:
- What makes hope evident in someone’s life? That is, when you see someone that exhibits hope in negative situations, how is it evidenced?
- Do you get frustrated, angry, disappointed or discouraged easily?
- What steps can you take to become more anchored to The Hope so that you are not sloshed around by the current circumstances?
- Does our ministry exhibit and effectively communicate Hope to our students?
- What steps can our ministry take to more effectively communicate Hope to our students, their families and those who are yet lost and hopeless?
