The whole world is hunting for peace, wholeness, and hope. But these things can only be found in a very unlikely place: the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus who was crucified for our sins we can be made right with God. And when we are through faith right with God we receive peace upon peace. It’s not outwardly peace but inner peace right where we are. And when we have first peace with God, we can have peace with ourselves and people around us.

Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness combined with our faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory. (Romans 5:1-2, CEB)

Peace, wholeness, and hope are what everyone wants to have. These things are readily available for everyone. Because these things are included in God’s amazing grace.

When we live in grace we don’t only have peace beyond understanding but we also have it all together with God. Hence we bask in the hope of God’s glory.

This is what resurrection living is all about.
This is what resurrection people boast about.
This is what God’s blessings are: wholesome well-being in Christ.

But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5, CEB)

This hope is not about material prosperity.
This hope is not about easy living.
This hope is not about outwardly things.

This hope sees us through difficulties.
This hope carries us when we are not able to walk.
This hope breaths life and light in us when the world gets dark around us.

It’s all grace. It’s all God. It’s all love.
It’s God taking care of us.
It’s God giving us peace, wholeness, and hope everlasting.

You don’t need to be hunting for hope. Just let God embrace you with his grace.
It is done. Given for you. Shed for you.
Receive it. Embrace it. Boast in it.

 

Gracious God,
You are so amazing!
Your blessings are so amazing!
Your love is so amazing!
We are not worthy and yet you love us!
You loved us so much
that you gave your only Son to save us!
Make us more like You!
May we always boast in your grace!
May we always love you above everything!
May we always love like you!
May your will happen in us,
through us, for us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you hunting for hope? Or have you already been found by grace?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live exuberantly in God’s grace!

Image courtesy of Pierce Brantley.