1 Peter 3:15-16 – “In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, yet do this with gentleness and respect.”
Inheritance of Hope volunteers do such a great job telling people what we do. On a retreat people see our shirts and our large group and they often ask, “What is this group all about?”
We inspire hope in young families facing the loss of a parent. All of these families have children 18 and under. We do this by helping them make some amazing memories together, by helping them form a community with other people who understand, and by giving them the tools to be intentional with the time they have and leave a lasting legacy.
We pass out cards. We tell our stories. We might even practice our “pitch” so that we are prepared to tell people about Inheritance of Hope. It’s awesome! We live it!
But, what if someone asks, “What is the HOPE that you are inspiring in these families?” 1 Peter says that we should always be prepared to give an answer for that.
What is the reason for the hope that we have?
- This world is not my home.
- This body, and the suffering that comes with it, is temporary.
- Jesus died in my place so that I can live forever with God.
It all boils down to an eternal perspective, centered on Jesus Christ. It’s such a huge part of Inheritance of Hope.
If I told all of the diagnosed parents on a Legacy Retreat that ALL OF THESE DISEASES ARE CURABLE, everyone would be so happy! We might jump up and down and cry tears of joy. The thing is…. that IS what we are telling them when we share the gospel with them. We are telling them that when Jesus died on the cross it counted for them! Because Jesus died you don’t have to. The only thing that dies with your body is the cancer and the pain and suffering. You, actually, can live forever in a perfect body at a perfect place. And because the Bible tells us with Christ “a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day,” then we know that heaven knows no time. Our loved ones don’t miss us or wonder how we are doing because they blink and we are there with them. We, on the other hand, feel the loss. Our bodies are breaking. Our hearts are breaking. FOR NOW!!!!
But we can have a LIVING HOPE! What does living mean? It doesn’t die. It doesn’t perish. It doesn’t spoil. It goes on forever. When we give an answer for the hope that we have, that is the reason. We are telling people WE HAVE A CURE!!!!
Are you prepared to give an answer for the reason for the hope that you have with gentleness and respect?
Jill originally shared this devotional with the June 2019 North Carolina Legacy Retreat® team.
Jill Thompson didn’t give much thought to intentional living until her best friend, Kristen Milligan, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer at age 30. She had a front row seat as Kristen planned and prepared for her death and was inspired to be as intentional with each day. Kristen rarely missed a single moment to speak truth to her children and to teach, inspire, and encourage others. Because of her intentionality, her life and legacy are still greatly impacting others even 7 years after her death. Jill lives in Florida with her husband and four children and tries to make the most of each and every day, living intentionally as a wife and mom and Inheritance of Hope’s Resources Director. Read more posts from Jill >>
