In Christ alone, our hope is found. This truth anchors the believer in the gospel story, reminding us that Jesus is our ultimate and only source of security. While the world offers many distractions, the Christian faith centers on the unwavering promise of His grace.
And yet, we often find ourselves placing our hope in temporary things rather than the eternal.
For example, many tend to look toward political leaders for salvation. During an election cycle, it is easy to believe that a specific candidate will bring about the societal betterment and moral affirmation we desire. While leadership and policy matter, no human figure is worthy of the living hope that belongs to Christ alone.
Or we might place our hope in a change of circumstances. We tell ourselves that if we just made a little more money, or just had a little more freedom, or just didn’t have to report to our current boss, then things would be so much better in life. And while there might be an element of truth in that, ultimately, we cannot place our hope in a chance of circumstance either.
Ultimately, Jesus is the only thing in the universe that can sustain our hope. The reason why is because he’s the only One strong enough to hold it. A little illustration might help:
When I was in high school, my physics class was assigned a project that I’m sure was not unique to our school. We were given limited materials, mainly popsicle sticks and wood glue, and instructed to build a bridge with specific parameters. On the appointed day, all of us brought our bridges to class and they were placed over a gap between two desks. Then small weights were systematically hung to the bottom of the bridges to test and see how much weight they could bear. Of course, in that environment, the greatest thrill wasn’t just winning the most sturdy bridge, but also watching as structure after structure was eventually obliterated under the increasing weight.
The weights weren’t added all at once; they were added slowly. One at a time. And they were added knowing that eventually every bridge would reach its capacity and crumble. No one thought that we could do something like stand on top of the bridge; though we didn’t know how much, we knew they would be destroyed under far less weight than that of a person.
These structures weren’t made to support that kind of mass.
When we place our hope on anything in this world—our circumstances, our leaders, our bank accounts, our relationships—it’s like hanging weights on the bottom of them. And eventually, they will crack under the pressure. Every. Single. Time.
Like bridges in the high school physics class, they all eventually sag and break under the pressure. These things were simply not designed to bear the weight of our hope.
But Jesus? Jesus is strong enough to bear it. He is the One who never disappoints. Indeed, when we place our hope in Christ and in him alone we will not be disappointed:
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:30–31).
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This article originally appeared on thinke.org and is reposted here by permission.