August 2019

I had an occasion recently to spend some time exploring Ephesians 1. In verses 18 through 20 of that chapter we read this (in the NIV):

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his Holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the Heavenly Realms…

I’m struck by how many people today are living without hope. Granted, some are in very dire situations, having just experienced a great trauma or loss, so it’s easy to see how circumstances may appear – on the surface at least – hopeless. But, an even greater hopelessness is found among those who seemingly “have it all together.” These are the people with whom you attend church, work or associate in other areas. On the surface they may appear – well – fine. However, if the truth were really known, they’re hurting. They may be questioning a lot of things, wrestling with some ‘secret sin’ or struggling, either emotionally or physically (or perhaps both).

I’ve spent time working with those who have lost someone to suicide. Individuals who have chosen the time and means to end their own lives represent in a lot of ways the very epitome of hopelessness. Their despair or pain is so great that life itself seems wholly undesirable.

No matter the external circumstances – or the internal psychological trials – the Answer is still the same: Jesus! Paul shares the essential prerequisite to realizing the hope we have in Him. First, the ‘eyes of our heart’ need to be ‘enlightened.’ How does this happen? Depending upon who you ask, the answer may be vastly different. Essentially, though, we need to fix our eyes off our external circumstances – or internal trials – and garner an eternal perspective. As Paul reminds us, that hope we have in the Lord Jesus not only brings a future rich (eternal) inheritance but also includes power to overcome the challenges of our daily lives. Whether those struggles are large or small, nothing is too great for our God, the very One who raised Jesus from the dead. And, that power is ours, too, to navigate this earthly life.