Elliott Shin | Executive Director
In today's attention and headline grabbing society, our feelings of well being and hope can at times be determined by the number of likes or clicks or from what we read and feel as we scroll through our most liked social media platforms. However, we as people of faith, understand that our hope shines through the promises we read in scripture and through our relationship with our Savior Jesus.
As we explore and spend copious amounts of time scrolling through our various favourite social media sites, we need to ask the important question, what are we hoping to gain? In my personal experience, more often than not, I partake because I’m trying to disguise anxieties or annoyances in my life that I’m attempting to avoid. Issues such as stress, confusion, strained relationship, feeling disconnected, loneliness or just plain boredom.
It is imperative that we avoid this fear of missing out, instant gratification and algorithm driven engagement we often fall prey to. In the long run, I have discovered that these are shallow and hollow endeavors that are vacant of meaning, honesty, fruit, hope and rarely enhance my relationship with God. In scripture, there are superabundant examples of hope.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for hope is “ELPIS,” which means favourable and confident expectation. In other words, the happy anticipation of good. As such, when we hope in the Lord, there is joy in both our hearts and in our appearance. For me, hope is constructed on faith, hope helps me look positively and confidently about the future, and of course, the source of my hope is from God!
Hope also keeps us from being dissolved and withered by the bombardment, barrage and the stormy and tumultuous waves of our lives. Hebrews 6:19 teaches us that “We have this hope and an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” How wonderful and blessed we are that our hope in Christ serves as an anchor for our soul!
Finally, a marvellous outcome and consequence of hope is delivered through God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. For His spirit furnishes us with the ability and capacity to hope. What an unbelievable and remarkable affirmation of God’s love for us this is. This life changing hope bestowed and granted from God gives rise to the confidence and conviction, joy and triumph, peace and calmness, power and capacity, and love, passion and devotion to live my life in the fulness that God intended!
Hope, what a phenomenal and indispensable gift from God!
