Hope is a strange thing. For some people, hope is very real. It’s the golden strand that holds their lives together. It is always evident, even when the song of the season tends to dictate otherwise. But for others, hope is not as present. It is stolen by the storms of life, taken captive by lies, or simply lost during difficult days. I am definitely in the latter category. Prone to misplacing my hope when things start to fall apart. I remember months as a teenager, living without hope. Days as a young adult, trudging along, longing to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Moments where everything around me felt like it was dark grey rather than shining gold. Thankfully, I’m not on my own with this feeling.
Picture the scene; a woman is caught in adultery by those who were in the highest position of religious authority. As if that isn’t enough humiliation, she is thrown in front of a crowd, of which Jesus is in the midst. She is thrown in front of perfection when she is far from perfect. I can see her now, not even daring to lift her eyes to His face, anticipating the words “cast your stones.” But those words never leave His mouth. Instead, He stays silent, drawing in the sand. This is a beautiful moment. Jesus knows the extent of this woman’s sin, but instead of shaming her, He shows her His mercy. He gives her a second chance. He doesn’t let her stay in her sin, that is for sure, but He doesn’t exclude her from His Kingdom either (John 8:1-11). I can only imagine what this woman felt when she finally looked in Jesus’ eyes. There is hope of a fresh start and a clean slate. Hope of a new beginning, of being made new.
Today, if you feel hopeless, look in the eyes of Jesus. There you will find no trace of condemnation because He paid the price for you. There is no need to fear what He might or might not see. You are not too far gone, nor are you too broken or messy. You are not hopeless in the hands of the God of all hope (Rom. 15:16).
About the Author
Steph McGown
Steph loves Jesus, coffee and music- anything folk, alternative or Taylor Swift. You’ll normally find her sitting in her favourite spot at her local coffee store, she is a creature of habit. Originally from Ireland, Steph recently moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to work as worship and creative arts intern at Redwood Park church. It’s the best decision she has ever made.
Her heart is for the local church and she avidly believes in the role of community in the lives of followers of Jesus.
Steph McGown