Ordinary hope is hope in the future, hope that in time things will eventually improve.
Eternal hope, on the other hand, is hope in eternity, the almost unbelievable hope that in the end, and only there, will God’s goodness and perfection prevail.
Let me suggest an example of these two.
The war in Iraq is dragging on and on. Since no war lasts forever, we know that someday, hopefully soon, this war will end. That hope is ordinary hope.
Eternal hope is different. It is the end-of-the-world hope that believes that in God’s time there will come a glorious day when all war will cease, everywhere and forever.
Easter hope is rooted in the fact that with the Resurrection of Jesus the eternal God entered into the ordinary world. Easter hope believes that God cares and is actively making an eternal difference in the world: turning darkness to light, death to life, and evil to good.
Easter hope is eternal hope in ordinary time. Pray that the season of darkness and death will soon end in the Middle East and for God’s eternal presence to bring light and life once more to the Fertile Crescent.
Easter hope is God’s promise to make a difference in your life, too. Dare to hope in Jesus. Trust your cares to him. And live again.
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