Beginning with Hope
Today is the first day of a new year. And with a new year comes new habits, traditions, and experiences. I am sure that I am not alone here, but I do not want a complete repeat of the circumstances from the year that was 2020. After taking a more in depth look at my life the past 48 hours, I have found something that is ugly.
My heart feels hopeless.
Even as recently as last night, the last night of this trial-filled year, there was another reminder that showed me that the world that we live in is extremely flawed. To start this year correctly, I must continue to remind myself that there is a perfect reason for me to have hope.
To find that hope, I must go to scripture. I must be reminded of what has happened to make the world broken. That can be found in Genesis three. God created everything, and put his image bearers to keep His creation, and commune with Him. But his creation (us humans) decided that we knew better than an all-powerful and all-knowing creator. Enter sin. Enter the brokenness that I am feeling the weight of even today.
God, in His wisdom, rebukes each player in this story. To the tempter he gives some pointed rebuke that has the twinkle of hope in it for believers in Jesus Christ.
“The Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.’”
GENESIS 3:14–15
This is the first time that the Redeemer was promised. The offspring of Eve would bruise the head of Satan. This is where the Christian finds hope. Not only that, this is where I, Gabriel Esser find hope, peace, security, and satisfaction.
What we just celebrated, Christmas, is not just about a fable of a man in a red suit. It was about the offspring of Eve, the Redeemer, being brought into human flesh. Who had equality with God but did not count that as important as saving God’s image bearers from eternal damnation. If we choose to trust in God’s rescue story, then we have reason to hope in all circumstances.
As we start this year, I want to write and share these promises more and more. As people encounter me through social media, in person, or through things I write. There is one thing that I want them to know. The love I have for Jesus Christ and the promises that he has for their lives. There is hope in 2021 and the source is a perfect and loving God.
