The new year, which follows on the heels of Advent and Christmas, is, in a sense, a time of hope, too. It is a time of new beginnings, and new starts. It is a time when slates are wiped clean, and resolutions are made. New plans are made and new journeys begin. It is a time when people believe that change can happen and be made. It is a time of hope.
However, what is hope? How would you define it? How would you describe, or explain it? Hope is one of those words that we often talk about but might not have a fixed definition of it. As we enter a new year, I found this definition of hope helpful.
It comes from the book In This Season, which is a collection of poems from various authors. I purchased it because a writer that I enjoy contributed to it. I’m not sure who gave this definition, or even if it was meant to be taken in a Christian sense. However, as I read the author’s threefold definition of hope, I couldn’t help but see how it points to Jesus, is true in Jesus, and finds its deepest meaning in Him. The author defined hope in this way:
- A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
- A person or thing that may help or save someone
- Grounds for believing that something good might happen
As I read this understanding, my mind kept going to Jesus. We all have expectations and desires for specific things to happen, and we look to the One Who does all things for our good. We move forward in the hope of that promise, knowing that no matter what may happen, or what occurs, it is for our good in Jesus Christ. As we journey into a new year, we move forward in that promise and hope.
Let’s look at the second definition: “a person that may help or save someone.” The name Jesus means “The Lord saves” and is related to the word for salvation. Saving is what Jesus does! He is called the Savior for a reason! Saving is even part of His name. He saves us from our sins and will one day usher in the fullness of the new creation when we will be free from all ills, tragedy, pain, suffering, disappointment, sin, and the like! As we journey into a new year, we move forward in that promise and hope.
And now the last one: “grounds for believing that something good might happen.” Jesus is our good, gracious, caring, and loving Lord. God is our merciful Father Who provides for us, making the sun to shine, the earth to bring forth its produce, and blessing us with our daily bread. The Holy Spirit delivers God’s gifts of life, salvation, and forgiveness to us. The death and resurrection of Jesus is that ultimate reminder that God has good things planned for us (even though it doesn’t always look entirely clear at the beginning. There are Good Fridays, but also Easter mornings!). God’s gracious character and our merciful Savior is the basis for this definition of hope, and all hope.
As we journey into a new year, we move forward in Him and in hope.
Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXV, Number 6, January 2024.)