Hope is for Today!

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

We gathered at the point of land just overlooking the entrance to York Harbor. Beyond lay the horizon of the Atlantic. A small band of people, united in purpose: to greet the sun as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus 2000 years ago. In the dim light of the pre-dawn sky, we anticipate the moment when that great star first casts its light over the horizon. Every year we wonder will the weather cooperate? Will there be fog or cloud bank at sea that will block the spectacular moment of light cresting the earth's curve to come into our view. Every year we hope it will be great. This year was shaping up to be incredible. And we were not disappointed.

We have hope each night when we lie down to sleep that the sun will come up in the morning. But this is not an unfounded, silly hope. It is assured hope, based on experience. It is hope that is part of our daily life. In the same way, our hope and faith in Jesus Christ is part of our daily life and experiences, not some baseless, pie-in-the-sky dream of nirvana to come in the future. Hope has caused me to be changed and made anew ("born again") each and every day that I allow His resurrection to be lived out in my life. Because He had victory over death, He can help me have victory over selfishness, pride, impatience, being judgemental, being unmerciful and unkindness. We are always presented with choices of character in life. Thank you Jesus for your resurrection which allows me to choose a living hope!