Easter People: Hope
When we hope in God, perhaps the most important question we can ask is: “God, what do You desire for me?” Allowing God to take the lead, and desiring His will above our own, frees us to receive how He wishes to work in our lives. It releases us from being trapped by narrow expectations and specific outcomes, and helps us trust that His will is greater than our own.
We see this in John 11. Martha and Mary hoped that Jesus would come in time to heal their brother Lazarus. But Jesus did far more than they imagined. He raised Lazarus from the dead and restored him to life. Likewise, the disciples hoped that Jesus would not die, yet through His death and resurrection He accomplished infinitely more than they could ever have understood or expected. He conquered death itself.
If we allow Jesus the freedom to lead our lives according to His wisdom, He can do far more than we could ever imagine. This shift in focus, from our own will to God’s will, also gives us new eyes to see where He is already at work. Instead of dwelling only on how frustrating colleagues can be or how difficult work may feel, I can place my hope in the truth that Jesus is with me. He may be purifying my heart, teaching me patience, helping me love others more deeply, and strengthening me to persevere through difficult circumstances.
This is not to say that hoping for specific outcomes is wrong. Of course, we are invited to pray and hope for a loved one to heal from sickness, for broken relationships to be restored, or for a job that can help one provide for their family. However, when we allow God’s will to enter our lives, even if these hopes unfold differently than expected, we are free to accept His path in trust and obedience, knowing that His wisdom surpasses our own.
Another important part of hope, for me, is perseverance. We may not yet see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we know it is there. We may struggle to notice progress in areas of sin, insecurity, or brokenness but we must not give up. Even if we have not yet arrived, we can be grateful that grace has moved us forward. Let us continue to be steadfast and hope in a God who we know is worthy to be trusted and who will never forsake us.
Lastly, I would like to encourage us to remember that hope always moves us outward. After the Resurrection and Ascension, the disciples responded very differently than they had at the crucifixion. No longer paralysed by fear, they were filled with confidence through the Holy Spirit and went forth proclaiming the Gospel. For us, let Easter hope stir in our hearts as well. It should seep into our lives, renew our hearts, and shine through us to those around us.
“All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.”
~ Urbi et Orbi Message of His Holiness Pope Francis, Easter 2025