Raising HopeSample

Guide to a Difference Maker. Who is the main character of your story? Most of us see ourselves taking that part. But in fact, we are all supporting characters of Jesus’ story: His story (History). Joseph only features as a character in five chapters in the entire Bible. And even in those chapters he seemingly functions in the background. Only, he doesn’t. His actions behind the scenes speak as loud as any other into eternity. Everyone’s eternity. For he raised the Son of God to become a man. And after Luke’s second chapter, we never see Joseph do anything in the Gospels again, for his life mission was fulfilled. Jesus grew up in wisdom, stature, and favor. Jesus became a man. In Jewish tradition, a boy becomes a man at age 12. After this festival in Jerusalem, Jesus was of age and acknowledged God as his own Father openly. Joseph’s job was done. The same goes for us. When our wives, our children and even others we may influence and mentor, acknowledge God as their main source of life and purpose, we then also fulfill our own purpose. No matter if we are to slip into the background of our own stories, God’s glory will be front and center, and others will be empowered to walk in His light. This is how we raise hope. We will obviously not raise the Hope for eternity himself, that’s done. But when we invest our time and efforts in our loved ones and those we take under our wings, we are raising them to walk in the ways of Jesus and light up the lives of others as they become His true disciples. When we mentor our children and others who need spiritual direction, we can guide a generation of difference makers, and as such, raise hope from the shadows of our own stories. Therefore, be a mentor. Be an unsung hero. Let us give up our own desires for God’s desires. Let us commit to protect and serve others. Let us keep our hopes and dreams rooted in God. And let our influence, big or small, echo in eternity…