Hope is for the Delusional

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter: 3-9

Hope is defined as a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. As I look at my experiences in the music business, I have seen hope be either the sustaining element that provides for you before your big break or the fatal element that keeps you in a permanent state of delusion. 

We’ve all seen the horrific contestants American Idol ridicules for ratings. I have witnessed some of those artists first hand. Most of the people really believe, at least deep in their hearts, that they have some genuine talent. Christian musicians are the worst; they have been told by their local churches not just that they’re good but that God wants them to have a successful career in worship. After years of enjoying the delusions of grandeur in their home town, they move to Nashville to become famous. It only takes a few weeks before they end up in my church holding their broken hearts in their hands. For most people, the disappointments in life make it hard to understand why they ever held onto their hope in the first place.

In this passage, Peter explains the origins of real hope. He says that the creator of heaven and earth, who also happens to be your loving Father, will give you the opportunity to find real hope by allowing his son Jesus to heal you. He uses the word “resurrection” to illustrate the point. In other words, if Jesus can make a fool of death, he can certainly make a fool of anything that is against you.  

So what is coming against you? What events or circumstances in your life have you looking and waiting for a positive outcome? Perhaps it is pain, betrayal, addiction, or even the disappointment in a failed dream. The hope you have in Jesus is not temporary. The positive outcome of your life will manifest itself in the form of healing, faith, love, and forgiveness.

Why am I so sure? Because this is our inheritance. You see, Peter also tells us that no matter how many trials come against us, those life circumstances have no power.  The real power lies in the hope of Jesus. Let me say it another way: no matter how many trials come against you, Jesus will be your salvation. In fact, even in the worst case scenario you still have heaven to look forward to. 

So sure, your music career may not have turned out the way you wanted it to. But you’re not dead. And even if you were, you would be enjoying the inheritance of heaven—can you imagine what your musical abilities could be then? 

Remember: even though your current circumstances may be bringing you pain, the hope you have in Christ will save you from the defeat of despair. The creator of heaven and earth wants you to rejoice in your hope instead of weeping in your delusion.