The hope that always endures

"Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were those who thought most of the next." -- CS Lewis

"Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has  gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:18-27

My daughters, when we are feeling jealous of others and not understanding our place in God's eyes; or when we are feeling constant pressure for not being like our friends and wondering if we fall short as women; or when we are heartbroken and rejected for reasons we don't understand...we must remember that our hope, our very identity, comes from the One who saved us and suffered for us. Who adopted us and made us part of His family. Who knew our sufferings, and took our sin on Himself. Look up, dear children! For He looks at us with love, seeing the face of Jesus and meeting us.

Let us fight the good fight with the armor of God, for knowing this and living this truth requires diligent prayer, an understanding of His word, and fellowship with other believers that hold us accountable. It is not a "quick flip of the switch" application, but rather a lifelong process to know that we are...His.