Words of Reflection
In 2018 the Rubin Museum in New York City opened an exhibition entitled “A Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful,” a participatory art installation that invited visitors to anonymously write down their anxieties and hopes on vellum cards and then display them on a large wall. Guests would then have a chance to read and reflect on our shared fears and aspirations, engaging in a communal act of emotional solidarity. Over 50,000 cards were submitted over the course of the exhibition, with wide-ranging themes that covered the personal, the political, and the spiritual. The creators of the exhibition had this to say about the thoughts they hoped to inspire:
“By definition, anxiety and hope are determined by a moment that has yet to arrive—but how often do we pause to fully consider our relationship with the future?”
—Candy Chang and James A. Reeves, “A Moment for the Anxious and Hopeful”
During the past week we have been reflecting on what it means to wait, on what it means to look for “a moment that has yet to arrive.” In Christian circles we tend to think about waiting as it relates to hope, trusting that God will reveal himself and his plan in his time. However, apart from a life of faith (and let’s be honest—sometimes even in the life of faith), waiting is often more about anxiety. Hope may look to an expectant future and see reason to be uplifted, but anxiety looks to an uncertain future and sees many reasons to be downcast.
That’s why it’s important for us as followers of Jesus to look back as well as forward. Before it looks ahead, biblical hope first finds its foundation in something that has already taken place—the resurrection of Christ. We don’t rest our hope on some imagined outcome that may or may not be assured. We rest our hope on the sure and certain truth that Jesus Christ, who was crucified, is alive. The tomb is empty, and the powers of sin and death have been defeated. That is where we find our hope, first and foremost.
It is then, standing firm on that foundation, that we can look to the future without anxiety. In Christ, our hope looks beyond this world, beyond its temporary cares and concerns. Our hope deals in eternal truths, truths that allow us to rest in the knowledge that our sins are forgiven and our future is secure. The resurrection of Jesus is a “down payment” that gives us an assurance which no earthly hope can even come close to providing. We wait looking back as we look ahead.
To put it succinctly: we don’t find our hope in the possibility that something good may yet happen…we find our hope in the fact that the very best thing has already taken place.
Let’s celebrate that glorious truth on this fourth “mini-Easter” of our Lenten journey.
Scripture for Meditation:
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.
—1 Corinthians 15:17-22 (NRSV)
Song: Because He Lives (Amen)
I believe in the Son
I believe in the Risen One
I believe I overcome
By the power of His bloodAmen amen
I'm alive I'm alive because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He livesI was dead in the grave
I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name
He rolled the stone awayAmen amen
I'm alive I'm alive because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never endsBecause He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives ev'ry fear is gone
I know He holds my life
My future in His handAmen amen
I'm alive I'm alive because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never endsAmen amen
I'm alive I'm alive because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He livesBecause He lives
Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ed Cash | Gloria Gaither | Jason Ingram | Matt Maher | William J. Gaither
© 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon; Rising Springs Music; S. D. G. Publishing; Twelve Lions Music; Worship Together Music; worshiptogether.com songs; Be Essential Songs; I Am A Pilgrim Songs; Open Hands Music; So Essential Tunes; Hanna Street Music
Questions for Contemplation:
What can you do today to simply rest in the promise of the resurrection and the hope it gives to us, even as we wait? Are there other songs, hymns, or Scripture passages that can help you do that on this “mini-Easter?”
Paul says we all die in Adam, but are made alive in Christ. Spend some time contemplating that journey from death to life: what it cost and what it asks of you. Spend some time prayerfully giving thanks for the cross and the empty tomb, and how they give us life.
Today’s song is based on a classic gospel chorus* from Bill and Gloria Gaither. Spend some time reading the chorus of the original song slowly and prayerfully? How does it speak to your soul?
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
*If you are a fan of classic gospel music, you can hear the original song in a simple piano/vocal arrangement here: Because He Lives