“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)
“He’s a loving Father. Just as an earthly father cares for his children, how much more will your Heavenly Father do for you.”
It’s a common analogy that preachers use when explaining the attributes of God, comparing Him to a loving Father.
But what about the children whose father passed away when they were little? Or the ones whose father walked out on them? Consider the ones who had a father in their life, but he was emotionally distant or abusive. It’s hard to imagine something you’ve never had.
When I was little, my Grandma Edith was a special person in my life. She was always talking about this man named Jesus. Telling me how I could be anything in Him.
When she died a lot of things in my life changed. I remember walking by myself to church after her death. I heard the preacher say – –
“Do you need a friend, let Jesus be the friend who will never leave you?”
“Do you need hope that life can be different?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – Jesus as a friend? Jesus offers Hope?
I’d heard him talked about before as a loving father, but I had a hard time relating to that. Growing up my Dad was an angry person. It was best to stay out of his way when he was home. I never knew what to expect when he walked through the door.
After Grandma died, I desperately needed a friend and hope that life could be different from what I knew.
After hearing that hope had a name – it was the name of Jesus; I went forward that day at the altar call. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and my friend. Jesus was the Hope I had been looking for.
When a father dies, there’s usually an inheritance left behind. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He left us the best inheritance of all. We’re quick to think about the glorious future of resurrection, and eternal life with him. Yet, we often overlook the fact that He gives us hope for this life.
Sometimes it seems that life is stacked against us. Focusing on what you don’t have can leave you feeling very hopeless.
Be assured that what you have in Jesus, our Hope is greater than the things you don’t have. He’s able to do exceedingly abundantly more than you could ever ask for. (Ephesians 3:20)
That little girl could have never imagined the life I have now.
“Dear Jesus, we thank you today that we have an inheritance through you. We are your daughters’. Because of you we have victory in this life. You are our Waymaker!”
For His Glory
Laura Holmes www.ephraimministries.org
TRBC Women’s Life
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