Craig Clouston

 

Our Future Hope!

February 21

There is surely a future hope for you...

Proverbs 23:18

Jenny practiced devoutly for the upcoming National Talent Search tryouts being held in her city. She was nervous about performing in front of the judges, but she couldn’t shake the sense that singing was what she was created to do. So Jenny purposed herself to sing as best she could. And Jenny could sing!

She was used to landing the lead role in her High School Drama Club’s annual musical. And though you might think that would have prepared her for this competition, this was not a group performance where she happened to be the best singer. This was an on her own challenge against some very talented individuals. All she could do was give it her best and hope she came out on top…or close to it.

Jenny was looking for the validation of her dream; this opportunity could give it to her if she placed well. Standing in the wings, awaiting her chance, she uttered a prayer of hope, “Lord, whatever comes I ask for three things; give me strength to do my best today and every day; if this is my future, give me hope to carry on; but most of all…I pray that you receive all the glory. Amen.” and she took the stage.

Jenny advanced in the competition until becoming one of twelve finalists. Her dream was becoming a reality!

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There is within each of us an innate hope, placed there by our Creator, to do something meaningful, and toward that goal we remain unsatisfied with anything less than our best effort.

To get from point A (where we are today) to point B (where we desire to be) we must travel with purpose, always looking toward our objective, yet understanding the trip is more about our maturation than the destination. In order to be useful to God today we must remain in the present. 

So when the road gets rough, look just far enough ahead to remember: Hope is the ability to look toward the future in such a way that it gives us confidence in the present. Jesus is the Hope in which our confidence must reside.

Prayer

“I surrender to Your leading, Lord. Guide me safely to my intended destination, and don’t let me miss life as we walk this road together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”