Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.‭‭
I Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

I was recently confronted on the freeway by a motorcyclist who was dangerously weaving in and out of traffic at 100 MPH. He was not only putting his life at risk, but also possibly making for pretty tough days for those who would have to clean him up on the street if he crashed. It made me angry in a righteous sort of way that he would throw away something that is so precious — life — and make all around him pay a price for his foolish actions.

As I think of the picture of “unswervingly”, I think of a world full of people, most of whom are swerving around from one flashy object to another to try and maximize pleasure, minimize pain, and live in excitement and comfort. They do not have a destination planned and focused on. It is like a giant mud pit with jumps and a course that all lead back to the same place.

Conversely, I am called to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess. This means I do not participate in the pleasure tours of this world, but I focus on the future reward of life with God. And I seek out what he calls me to on this earth. Sometimes the things I am called to are very hard. However, God always gives me strength to persevere through the challenges and I experience his joy and power in the midst of it.

And what is it that I hope in, if not Jesus? He is my Savior and Lord. And he is faithful. He always shows up and backs me up.

As I was praying today, focusing on Jesus, I got a picture of him I will try to describe here.

It’s like we all paint in life on a flat surface, with colors that eventually fade to black and white. The paintings over time lack vibrancy and a realness, as the routines of life can drudge on. But when we invite Jesus in, he paints in 3-D and in color. With his spiritual gifts, he not only brings color back to those areas of life that have seemed dreary in black and white, he brings a new domination to it and life takes on a whole new meaning with renewed hope and purpose. The funny thing is, this new hope and purpose feels so right, as God designed us for it. It is a LIFE IN LIVING COLOR!

And when we live life this way, our hopes and dreams change to become like God’s — pure and right. And we rejoice in others’ potential in Christ, and eagerly anticipate his transformative work in them. These changed lives, these disciples, have replaced the cars, careers, status, riches, and world power I once dreamed of. And these disciples are our joy and our crown in heaven.

So we hope in Jesus and in the impact Jesus through us can have in saving lives for his glory into eternity!

Lord, thank you for the new and exciting hope you give me every day! I join you to bless others and serve them. You give me the energy and power to do the good works you have prepared in advance for me to do. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)