Things are going to get weirder in 2025. I can promise you that.
Honestly, it’s already weird.
That’s why what the Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter is so important:
“Be ready to have an answer for the hope that you have in you.” (I Peter 3:15)
This is the kind of person I want to be. Like a hope dispenser locked and loaded. When I was growing up I was taught that this scripture meant we were supposed to be able to argue the apologetics of the Gospel. In other words I needed to be ready to debate and argue. Thankfully, that was my specialty!
Later, though, I learned rarely are people drawn to Jesus by a dump truck of bullet points or pithy clap backs. Hope, however when things look hopeless, will stand out and is quite compelling.
The Apostle Peter was writing to people in a strange, difficult time—most likely under the rule of Nero, one of the most brutal persecutors of Christians in history. The entire letter speaks to suffering, trials, and hardship.
Peter was telling believers in Jesus that their lives, attitudes, and responses should be so vastly different that people are like: What is going on with you? And THAT is when you should have an answer.
I want to be the person with that kind of weird, wild hope. And hope isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s not ignorance or denial. It’s looking at the chaos and saying, Yes, I see it. But I also see beyond it. Hope is rooted in something bigger than the headlines, something deeper than whatever happens in front of me.
In a world of exhausted people filled with anger and anxiety how about we stand out as people who are filled with hope. Buoyant, exuberant hope in a Savior that has yet to fail us. May this hope be evident in:
Our work.
Our words.
Our relationships.
Our social media interactions.
And when people ask us – Why are you so calm? Don’t you know what’s happening?
We can joyfully proclaim: We see what’s happening. We’re not blind. But we know more. We know how this story ends. Let’s grab coffee and talk about it!
Sherri Lynn
Midday Show Host, STAR 99.1
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James 1:12
I absolutely LOVE your share , Sherri! I’m smiling as I read “we know how this story ends “! AMEN to that…& there is our hope🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕☺️
Thank You, Sherri!!! Yes, many of the people around us seem to only see the negatives, but we, as you say, look beyond those negatives – and that’s where hope comes in. It’s what can be, what can come out of the negatives. And it can be a matter of our just deciding we’re going to lift ourselves out of the negative thoughts. If we look at the negatives before us as challenges to be overcome, boy, does that make life exciting and gets our creative juices flowing. We can get past the bad times, develop solutions and workarounds. None of it is easy, but it is exciting and spirit-strengthening! Thank You, Sherri and God Bless You!!!!👍🙏🦋🌼🌞
What’s weird going on now Sherri? Just curious
Thanks you Sherri
I’m hopeful that if we practice love kindness compassion respect
and caring for one another no matter
who we are or where we come from, will help us change wrongs into rights.
❤️🙏🏻