Why I Love Hope

Biblical hope is waiting for that which is assured.  It's not wishful thinking. It's not crossing your finger and having a positive attitude. It's waiting for what you know will happen.  There's a world of difference between the hope this world gives and the hope of heaven.  "Gospel Hope" is an anchor for our soul.  It's firm and secure and we can stake our lives on it. 


Waiting for the New Testament has been a bit of a frustrating experience.  How many times have we been told it will be on the next boat?  I've lost count of dates and delays. But this morning I was thinking to myself that the great thing about an experience like this is that it reminds me that this kind of waiting, this kind of hoping, is not the kind of hope on which my life is based. This fulfillment of this hope depends on a shipping company, conscientious employees, and calm seas. Will the New Testaments eventually get to their destination? Yes they will. Will it be on my perfect schedule? No, we blew that out of the water weeks ago.  This kind of waiting is frustrating because we don't know what is going to happen.  So really, that's not hope. That's waiting around for people to match the container to the manifest.  We pray they do it on time and every hindrance is removed, but we are not staking our lives on that hope.  What God guarantees is so precious it can't be delayed or affected by human will.  

So with every rescheduling notice, the great Hope for which we ultimately wait looks sweeter all the time.  Even in the midst of delays, there's a chance to give thanks.

We'll keep you updated on when our earthly waiting for the scriptures is completed. In the meantime, he's a picture of Tony and Seth enjoying Madang town.