When I was a little girl I loved to go fishing with my older brother and my dad. Mom would pack a cooler of snacks, and send us on our way. Once at the lake, my Dad would make sure we had our life jackets strapped on tight and we would set off through the water, on the hunt for the perfect spot to catch loads of fish.

When we found an appealing location, we would cast out our lines and patiently sit and watch our neon bobbers go up and down in the water. I remember on more than one occasion, silently pleading with God to let me catch a sunny or perch… anything besides the dreaded weeds that often tangled my line. The funny part is I hated to eat fish, but they were sure fun to catch!

Our routine was to slowly troll through the water. If the fish actually started to bite, my dad would have us drop the anchor.

The anchor was fairly small. It was just a hunk of metal encased in rubber, but it was heavy enough to get the job done. We would throw that baby overboard and watch it sink. Once it embedded in the weedy lake bed below, our boat would drift back and forth, just as far as the connecting rope would stretch.

That little anchor had the ability to keep our boat firmly secured in the location we wanted to be: where the fish were biting.

There is a passage of scripture found in the book of Hebrews that says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure… (6:19).”

If you were to look up the word hope in the Dictionary, you may find one of the following definitions: 1) the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. 2) a person or thing in which expectations are centered 3) to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. 4) to believe, desire, or trust

As a Christian, my hope is found in the person of Jesus Christ and the work that He accomplished through his death and resurrection. His sacrifice on the cross definitively secured my ability to have an intimate relationship with God NOW and eternal life in heaven someday.

This is GOOD NEWS! It is also very comforting to know that no matter what I may face in life, my future is sure.

Despite what storms lay ahead, or how big and intimidating the waves of adversity appear to be, I know that God is faithful. He will give me the strength to face, endure, and in many instances overcome those difficult circumstances, often sharpening and helping me grow through the process.

The hope that I have in Christ is more than just a feeling that things will turn out for the best. It’s a joyful anticipation of the abundant life that God has promised me now and forever.

How about you?   Where do you place your hope?

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (Jesus)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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