Hope in a jar.

I opened the mirror cabinet above my bathroom sink this morning and reached for 'hope in a jar'.  A moisturizer and the latest purchase in my beauty supplies.   Not sure why I never thought about the humor in the name until this morning.  But that's funny.  As I smoothed the 'hope in a jar' moisturizer over my face I thought to myself, 'if only I could open a jar each morning and smooth hope over my heart'. 

The tag line for the moisturizer says, "Philosophy:  where there is hope there can be faith.  where there is faith miracles can occur."  Interesting thought.  Is there any truth behind it?

I'm a dreamer.  I'll admit it.  And I tend to be a pretty positive hopeful person.  So I began to think about the various things I've hoped for or in throughout my life.  Some of those things came to fruition,  many of those things did not.  And I have found that the hopes that became realities either left me feeling pretty proud of myself and what I had accomplished or led me to place something or someone on a pedestal.  And hopes that were dashed  left me feeling confused, betrayed, devastated.  In general, if you cut away all the excess and get right to it, when I hope for/in things of this world, I am a pompous idolatrous dejected person.  And that doesn't tend to increase my faith. 

Why?  Why can't I just spread on a little hope in a jar and watch my faith grow?  Because hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12).  Because misplaced hope is futile.  ("When the wicked dies his hope will perish." Proverbs 13:12).

In my understanding without faith there is no hope.  True, worthwhile hope that is.  Faith comes first.  Oh sure, you will always be able to buy some form of 'hope in a jar', but what happens when the jar runs empty and you run to the store to get more only to find that 'hope in a jar' has been discontinued and is no longer for sale?  Or if the idea catches on and 'hope in a jar' comes at a price that is just too high?  Or when you buy 'hope in a jar' cause it sounds like what you want only to find it's just like all your other everyday moisturizers? 
   
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." (Hebrews 6:19) 

I love the sounds of that.  Sure. Steadfast. Anchor.      

Security.       

I long for that and I believe you do too.  Knowing I have a place to hang my hat so to speak.  A place where I can hope without fear of circumstances or experiences outside of my control stealing that hope from me. 
   
How do I know this isn't just another catchy marketing scheme?  Because "...He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23).  I know this because I know Him. 

    

I love how God tells Abraham he will be the father of many offspring when he and Sarah were both very old.  And it says that Abraham "in hope, believed against hope that he should  become the father of many nations, as he had been told."  His faith in the One who calls into existence the things that do not exist lead to his ability to hope despite his circumstances.  And the bible says, "his faith was counted to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:22).

    

Where are you placing your hope?  And if it's not in the one unshakable steadfast anchor of the soul, can I ask, are you content?  Or is your heart sick? 

    

I'll be honest, I'm still going to spread on my 'hope in the jar' moisturizer every morning. (Hey, I turn 30 this year people, don't judge me. =)   )  But my hope?  Is not in a beauty product or any other fleeting thing. 

My hope is in Christ alone.