Living Hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
Music has always spoken to me in a way that words often can't. My mother tells me that before I could speak, I sang. Music has been my solace in dark times and has carried me through many trials. Worship music is no different. In February 2019, after accepting Christ as my Savior and surrendering my life to him, I took a leap of faith and committed to leaving behind the place I had called home for 42 years and moving to Amarillo. This was not an easy decision, and I turned to music to help me process the overwhelming emotions I was feeling. One night as I was driving home from work, the song Living Hope by Phil Wickham came on, and the words of that song struck a chord in me so strongly that I actually had to pull over and stop driving.
The song speaks of the separation and darkness so many feel. That hopelessness and helplessness that drives us to seek purpose in work, friends, hobbies, and other things that, in the end, don't provide what we are seeking. The desperation we feel to fill the void in our lives. We feel unworthy, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot avoid falling into sin. We feel ashamed. We are seeking a savior.
When we are willing to hear the message of the gospel and accept that Jesus is that Savior, that He is our Savior, we can find the living hope that the resurrection of Jesus can give us. That living hope is, "...an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4) Jesus' death and resurrection sealed that promise. No one can take it away from us if we are willing to confess Him as our Lord and Savior.
That night as I listened to that song, those words drove home the message of hope that Jesus could give me. Even though I felt unworthy and uncertain of what the future held for my family and me, I could be certain of my salvation, and that was all that mattered. So, when the world is going crazy, and we don't know what the next day, week, or month will bring us. When it all feels hopeless, we can trust that the living hope of eternal life in Jesus isn't going anywhere!
Blessings,
Jill Golding