Where is our Hope?

Darrell and I often have the privilege of spending time with pastors and their wives. Just recently, we were out to dinner with a couple and during my conversation with the wife, I was “triggered” back to a memory. I remembered a loss that will never be forgotten, but it is carried deep in my heart. 
 
On January 28, 1986, the US experienced one of the most tragic disasters in our space exploration.  The space shuttle Challenger exploded after its launch.   Seven lives were loss, one of which was Christa McAuliffe of Concord, New Hampshire.  Mrs. McAuliffe was a teacher and was selected from a national screening to go on this particular mission, teaching a couple of lessons during the orbit and upon returning, was to tour the US to lecture students across our country.  I remember the nation wide search that took place to find the right teacher to go.  I even encouraged my husband Darrell to enter since he was a science teacher at the time. 
 
It was certainly a tragic event that will never be forgotten. However, for me, Darrell, and our little girl Tiffany, that day has a different significance for what would have been, could have been, and had hoped to be in our family.  I remember the day so well, not in particular terms of the launching of the shuttle but to our own crisis happening.  I was 12 weeks pregnant with our second child.  From the very start, this pregnancy was different. About 9 weeks in, we knew that things were going to be challenging but we were placing our hope in God our Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, who is healer, sustainer and life giver.  
 
On that morning, as I did on most Thursday mornings, Tiff and I went to church for the women’s bible study.  Not long into the lesson, it became evident I wouldn’t finish the lesson.  What we had hoped for, the ability for me to carry our baby, became a reality that it would not happen. I left the study for the bathroom and prayed that God would send someone to help me.  God is faithful to meet our needs.  I have always been thankful for Rhonda Barnett who came to check on me and met my physical and emotional needs.  Once I transitioned to another location, God sent another person, our pastor Jerry Wells (and his wife, Debbie kept Tiffany) who stayed with me until Darrell could come and take me to the hospital. 
 
At the hospital, the deep hidden fear of losing the precious life of our baby was upon us.  God was with us and once again sent Bob and Joy Burgess and three other men (Greg Werner, Dennis Werner and Jeff Warner) who came to the hospital to sit with Darrell while I was in surgery. 
 
So this day, January 28, 1986, 36 years ago, our baby went to be in the presence of other saints.  A difficult day forever etched into our memory. While we understand medically the “why” and “what,” we still had hope that God would work a miracle. 
 
So some would say, God did not fulfill our hope of carrying our baby full term. But in reflection, I think our overall hope was anchored in God to be with us, to sustain us, to provide for the baby and us. His presence was felt through out the entire experience. 
 
Before we got home that day, our home group, which Darrell led, went to our house to clean and prepare for our return home.  There were several that God sent over but I specifically remember Michelle and Dennis Werner and their ministry to us that day. Once again God saw our need and sent whom we needed in the moment.
 
So what does it mean to have hope, even against great odds? It is about where we place our hope in the midst of the situation. Our hope is not in our ability, efforts, resources, and others but in the one who sustains us, God our Father and Savior Jesus Christ. 
 
Job, that guy in the Old Testament, was tested and loss almost everything. God restored Job’s life abundantly.  In Job 13:15 he proclaimed “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…” Even in his darkest hours, Job hoped in God. 
 
Psalms 39: 7 “And now Lord, for what do I wait?” My hope is in Thee.” We are to have hope…. placed in the right person, God Almighty. 
 
Psalms 62:5 “My soul, wait in silence for God only. For my hope is from Him.”
 
We are certainly in challenging times. I am reminded in Romans 5:3-5 “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 
 
Our hope, for the future, is not in our capabilities, strength, knowledge or fortitude. Our hope is in the Trinity, God our Father, Jesus Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit.  Scripture in 1Peter 1:3 says “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.” 
 
Are you in need of a living hope today? Look to Jesus. 
 
I close with an old hymn that many of you know and can hear even now resonating in your ears: 
 
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
 
1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

 
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
  All other ground is sinking sand.

2
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

3
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

 
Blessings, 
 
Karen