Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1789, “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Death is the great equalizer, no matter your status in life, we will all face death someday. But those of us who live in Christ will not be left alone in the darkness. We live in the hope of heaven. Our death will not be the ending…it will be our new beginning. We will dwell in the light of God for all eternity. Simply knowing this fact should spur our lives to be genuinely changed. Our eternal hope is not just knowing what is to come beyond this world, but allowing that to change our very behavior and how we react to situations in our lives. Pastor Rick Warren explains how living in the light of eternity changes our earthly perspectives, “You use your time and money more wisely. You place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn’t matter as much anymore.” I heard a pastor say in a sermon once, “Will it matter in 1,000 years?” That’s exactly what an eternal perspective looks like. Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  That word unswervingly means solid, unshakeable…for me, I envision keeping my eyes straight on the horizon, not looking in my rear-view mirror, not turning to the right or the left…just focusing on what’s ahead and trusting.

Living our lives, knowing we serve a God we can trust, and living in the light of that hope…can you imagine how much that can change our daily lives? The fear that can be removed! The comfort we will receive during times of pain and loss. Joanna Weaver in her book, Embracing Trust, says, “Hope is a joyful expectation of something good.” Living day to day in this broken world is often a struggle. God wants us to lay our burdens down at the cross. He doesn’t promise health and wealth…we know there will still be trials. But through His strength we will carry on through each deep valley. Focusing on what God has promised eternity will be like…that is what brings us joy in the darkest times.

I know it’s hard. I struggle everyday with the dark cloud of fear, as it tries to block out the light of God’s hope and love. But we as Christians are not supposed to sugar coat God’s promises. We will have trials…Christ told us to expect them. “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) It isn’t about mustering up enough strength to make it through the trials. It’s about letting go and allowing God’s spirit to do the work and carry you through the difficult times, knowing that He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. Knowing that He has won the battle; knowing that He is in control. Knowing that no matter the outcome, we WILL spend eternity with Him in perfect peace.

So take heart my dear friend. Surrender your fear…you may have to surrender over and over, but God loves you and He wants to give you His strength. And one day, we will all stand shoulder to shoulder together and cry out in unison, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb that was slain!”

Philippians 4:13—I can do all things through him who strengthens me.