“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Rom. 8:24-25

The last few weeks where I live have been cold, dreary and rainy. The forecast for the coming week is not much better. In between these days was one cold but bright morning. Though the ground was covered with frost, something in the atmosphere held the possibility of Spring. Now I know that Spring will inevitably come and that in the coming days, there will be warmer days, robins returning and early flowers blooming which will be the confirmation of Spring’s return. But buried in the heart of this dreariness, the breath of possibility was all that I needed to face the coming week and give me hope that this dreariness will pass. Spring is the season of hope. With each new budding leaf, it lifts up the anticipation of new beginnings, fresh starts and renewed life. God knew what He was doing when He placed Spring behind Winter.

Paul’s discussion in the verses above are centered on the understanding that our salvation is hinged on the fact that we believe Jesus died for our sins. Our confession of sins and our belief in this are all that is required to obtain eternal life in heaven. We don’t get an admission ticket. There is no physical guarantee or contract; it is just that internal knowing we believe this as true. It guides our decisions on how to live and helps us endure trials and tribulations, knowing that one day, when this earthly body will die, we will obtain that heavenly body that is fit for eternity in heaven. This is the what we patiently wait for. It can be complex and difficult to explain, but for those who have been saved, it is like that atmospheric promise I felt on that cold, frosty morning. I can’t see it or feel it, but I know it is coming. The possibility of heaven drives me to move forward even when life is difficult, just like the possibility of Spring lifted my spirits in the face of a dreary forecast.