"Obi-Wan, you're our only hope." These words were spoken by Princess Leia in the very first Star Wars movie.
I find it interesting that it wasn't Obi-Wan who rescued her from Darth Vader or blew up the Death Star. Yes, he helped by giving his wisdom and thoughts on the matter, but it was a young man from the small planet of Tatooine named Luke Skywalker that saved Leia and blew up the Death Star.
You might be wondering, "Why are you telling me this?". Like Princess Leia, we often put our hope in the wrong person or thing.
Our hope is misplaced when we place it in our spouse or other family members. We cling to a preacher's words they speak on Sunday morning, yet somehow forget all that was said by Monday.
We place our hope in the White House's elected officials or the next big star in a movie or tv screen.
When we put our hope in man, we lose sight of who God is and what He can do. When we place our hope in material things, like our house, our car, our money, and we lose these things, our hope is lost as well. Not only do we lose our hope, but we also lose our focus. That's when fear, doubt, and uncertainty start to creep in. (1 Timothy 6:17)
Why are we so quick to put our hope in things that will break or fade away? Or in people who are willing to hurt us? I believe it's because it is so much easier to do. It's tangible.
When we hope in Jesus Christ, we have to focus on what the Word of God says (Bible). It's not something we can see or grab onto. (Hebrews 11:1) It's having faith in what the Bible speaks of, our Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:23)
My hope is in Christ Jesus. My peace comes from that hope. When I can keep focused on the Hope of the world (Ephesians 2:12), things seem to go better. They aren't always great. My circumstances of losing a job, having a mother with dementia, not to mention a son with special needs, are all difficult. There are times when I want to scream. It's hard to watch my mother go downhill. It's hard not being able to call her because she doesn't know who I am. It's hard seeing my child struggle to understand typical social cues. But that is where my hope in Christ comes in. I know that my mom is one day going to be free of her disease and that if it is God's will, He can take away my son's disability. My hope isn't lost because of my circumstances.
My hope is in the one who created the earth (Genesis 1), who parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14), who closed the mouths of lions, (Daniel 6) turned water into wine, (John 4:46) walked on water (Matthew 14:22-30), fed the 5000 (Mark 6:33-44) and who defeated death (John 20)!
I ask this, why would I, a follower of Jesus Christ, want to put my hope in men who lie and cheat. Men who tell us what we should do and how we should think or even go as far as to tell us how we should feel. Why would I want that?
If you are a follower of the one real God, Jesus Christ, why would you want to place your hope in anyone but Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior? He is a God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). It is our hope in Jesus that brings everlasting peace.
When your hope is in the only begotten son of God, all that is happening around us means very little to nothing at all. Because my hope is in the one who:
Calmed the seas and saved you and me.
Some put their hope in the things of this world, but I put my hope in Jesus Christ, my Lord, and savior (Psalm 20:7).
Where is your hope?
( All Scripture references come from NASB)