What Next?

 By Larry Guido

“You’ve lived a long time. What do you think is going to happen next with all that’s going on?” she asked. 

At first, I was flattered, thinking that at least one person recognized that my wisdom might have been growing along with the number of years I have lived. However, after a few moments thought, I realized that I had no answer. After thinking and reflecting on the anxiety and fear, uncertainty and ambiguity that is shredding the fabric of our great nation, and realizing that the very heart and mind and soul of our nation is being threatened, my only answer was, “I do not know what to think, nor even what questions to ask. We have no point of reference to turn to or return to and build on or from. And, this - to me - is not a game-changer since we’ve never played in a game like this before. 

   

Strangely, yet understandably, there seems to be no point of agreement on the next steps. Researchers want more research, scientists want more science, economists want more money, experimenters want to experiment on anyone with anything they think may bring healing, doctors, as well as other health care providers, are applying their skills relentlessly doing everything they can to restore the health of those suffering, and bioethicists are now arguing the “do not resuscitate” issues on who should decide the fate of those whose conditions do not respond to treatment.  

It is, indeed, alarming.  

For most. 

But, not Christians, because “We have this hope, as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19) Of all the verses that have entered my mind and penetrated my heart in recent days, none has brought as much peace and comfort or a sense of safety and security as this verse. This verse – more than any other verse I have read or reflected on since the pandemic began - has had more “staying power” to my faith or confidence in my beliefs. I have found this verse to be very personal, practical, and powerful for such a time as this.  

Notice, first, however, that it begins with “we” – and that makes it “conditional.” The author did not say that “everyone” has this hope, or that “most people” have this hope, or that the “wealthy, educated, influential, intellectual, powerful, religious, talented, or sophisticated” have “this hope.” The audience of Hebrews were individuals who had left Judaism to become Christians and were now doubting their decision. So, the author boldly proclaimed the superiority of Christ, and why their decision was the correct one: Jesus - Son of God - is superior to everyone who had been recognized as a representative or spokesperson of God. Therefore, he wants them to be encouraged, and follow in the footsteps of those, who in previous generations and under unimaginable circumstances, situations and conditions, had put their faith in God and been rewarded generously because of the love, mercy, grace, salvation, and hope that was now theirs through Jesus Christ. 

So, when the author, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, utilized the pronoun “we” it limited “this hope” to “believers” who had put their faith and trust in the Risen Christ for their salvation. Therefore, the “we” were a very select group of people who had a common core of beliefs centered in the Risen Christ which united their “souls.” 

But not only is the “we” exclusive, “hope” is also limited in its meaning. “Hope,” for most individuals, is nothing more than “wishful thinking.” For example, “I hope I do not get COVID-19,” or, “I hope if I have symptoms of COVID-19 I can get tested,” or, “I hope no one in my family gets COVID-19.” Most individuals will “hope” they do not get this dreaded virus. However, the Biblical meaning of “hope” is not wishful thinking. It is a rational, logical hope that found its roots in God’s love, mercy, grace, and salvation in the past and because of those facts, we can have hope – or have a reason to believe that because God has always protected and delivered His followers throughout history, we can have “confident expectations” that God will protect and deliver His followers during this crisis.  It is easy for me to say, “I hope I can get a thousand dollars from Metter Bank.” However, if I have no relationship or account with Metter Bank, that statement is “wishful thinking.” If, on the other hand, I have a relationship with and an account in Metter Bank, and have deposited a thousand dollars in an account with my name on it, I can have “confident expectations” – which in reality are two words for “trust” -  that I can go to the Metter Bank and “cash in” or “activate my confident expectations” on my hope in the bank. Biblical “hope” is not based on fiction – wishful thinking – or what I want to happen. Rather, “the hope” we – followers of Christ - have is based on facts that come from the evidence of God’s actions in the past of His involvement with and care for His people.  

This “hope” – these confident expectations - which we as Christians have will function as an “anchor.” Now, what does that mean? The word “anchor” has special meaning and significance to me because of my service in the Navy and my respect for the way anchors function and contribute to the safety and security of a ship. When a ship “sets anchor” it means that the anchor, after having been released from its location, has gone to the depths – or floor - of a body of water and has “taken hold” of the surface – or floor - and will not move. In other words, it “gets a hold” on the sand, or a rock, and will not let go. The “hope,” becomes the “obligation” or “work” or “responsibility” or “duty” of the anchor: to hold the ship “firm and secure!” Though the ship may turn or move and face one direction and then another because of the winds or tides – the ebb and flow of the weather - it will not move because it is “anchored” safely and securely to something that cannot and will not change. 

What a magnificent picture! We “set anchor” in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and Lord, who is immovable, unchangeable, immortal, all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, all-loving, all caring, and always available in the storms of life or when the sea is as calm as the sky is deep. Perhaps there is no more graphic picture to represent life than that of a body of water that is controlled by uncertain storms and fierce gusts of wind that churn the sea. 

“This hope” our author is talking about is for “the soul” – the “sum total of all that we are and all that we represent.” In other words, there is not a part of my being – body, mind, or spirit – that is not included in my “soul.” Do I have an unresolved problem? My “hope” for its solution is in God. Do I have an illness? My hope for healing is through Christ. Am I fearful of tomorrow? My expectation for comfort comes through the work of the Holy Spirit. Do I face financial difficulties? The answer to managing my finances comes through God’s wisdom. All that we are now – in this life - or ever will be in the life to come - can have or will have “this hope” from God through Christ. Every cell in my body, every thought that races across my mind and every sound that echoes in my ears have “confident expectations” that God “will never leave me nor forsake me,” that “His peace that passes all understanding will guard my heart and mind,” and that “His Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my pathway.”   

“We have this hope, as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure!”     

While the “we” who have this “hope” is limited in “scope” it is not limited in “size.” As described previously, the “we” are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Those who have “accepted” Christ as Savior and surrender their lives to Him as their Lord are “born again” through the work of the Holy Spirit and become “new creations.” When this occurs, “we” are transformed by God’s grace and turn from who we have been – sinners - into whom God intended us to be - His children. So, we no longer live self-centered, self-destructive lives, but God-centered and God-blest lives that place Him first and foremost in everything we do.  

And, the “we” is not limited in “size.” We read in Scripture that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Furthermore, Jesus said, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”  Just as sure as “if God said it, He did it or will do it,” we know for certain that if His Son said it “we can believe it.” 

For additional information on becoming part of the “we,” please contact Guido Ministries at (912) 685-2222 or email us at thesower@pineland.net.