Reality

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you. – Ephesians 1:18 

Optimism can only carry you so far and being naively positive fails in the face of evil deception. So what is it that causes people, in the midst of soul-crushing circumstances or devastating grief, to find faith? Faith is more than an ability to ignore reality!

The disciple Peter was acquainted with this struggle. In the most critical moments of his life, he stumbled again and again. He regularly failed to get the point of Jesus’ teaching, mistakenly challenged Jesus’s purpose on Earth as Messiah, spoke up in ignorance at the miraculous transfiguration, and he fell asleep when Jesus asked him to watch and pray. He also boasted, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you,” then a short while later found himself emitting oaths and curses, rejecting any connection with Him. Can you imagine the hopelessness in Peter’s heart as Jesus was arrested and crucified?  

Judas was not the only one to betray Jesus on the night of his crucifixion. However, he was the only one to make it the defining act of his life. Peter discovered hope is not tied to religious practices or ethical prowess. He experienced the forgiveness of Jesus Christ applied to him personally. The reality of his sinfulness and inabilities were eclipsed by the grace of God’s Son, and Peter chose to humble himself and accept it. Everything changed when he opened himself to receive forgiveness. Pray for those in leadership positions of America’s churches and government to find real hope in the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ.