Do you ever feel hopeless, with nothing to look forward to, and wonder about your life’s meaning and purpose? God wants you to know that every day can be filled with meaning and purpose, and you can have something to look forward to. You can have hope in God.
When it comes to faith and hope, there are two kinds of people in this world—those who have hope and those who do not. If you're a good person but believe that this life is all you have, you might have a limited outlook. When you die, all your accomplishments, relationships, and good deeds will remain behind. However, if you believe in life after death, regardless of your past actions, you will have a different perspective—one that embraces forgiveness and hope for a better future.
Believing that this life is all there is may lead you to strive to make it as good as possible, often overlooking the consequences. But if you embrace the idea of life after death, you may still strive for a good life here, knowing that no matter the struggles you face, something better awaits you after this life. Living with this hope gives your life more meaning and purpose.
So, how do you cultivate this hope? It’s simple, though not necessarily easy. To begin, you must have faith in God and His Son, Jesus. I didn’t truly believe in them until I understood who they are and their teachings. While there’s much to learn, simply put, if you believe in them and follow their teachings, you can rest assured that you'll have a place in Heaven when your time comes. Life there will be beautiful and fulfilling, free from tears, sorrows, scars, or hardships. This promise should give you something to look forward to. By believing in God and Jesus and adhering to their teachings, you will undoubtedly find purpose in life and be filled with hope!
Lastly, if you find yourself in a season of inactivity, much like Saul did during his ten years in Tarsus, do not despair. You may feel ineffective for God now, but remember that things can change. If you believe in your heart that you are doing your best in obedience to God, that is all you can do. When the Holy Spirit has other plans for you, He will move you from your waiting place into the mainstream where He intends to use you.
Remember, God knows everything and is in control of all things. Nothing occurs without His allowance.