Everyone Needs Access to Hope!
Florence Chadwick was the first woman to ever swim the English Channel in both directions—from England to France, and from France to England. In 1952, she attempted to swim from Catalina Island in the Pacific Ocean to the shore of California—a trip of twenty-six miles. As she swam, boats surrounded her, and people watched for sharks; everyone wanted to witness this historic event. Suddenly, a fog rolled in, and she could no longer see the shoreline. She lost hope and stopped half a mile short of her destination because she did not know how much farther she had to go.
Two months later, Florence tried again. For a second time fog set in, but this time Florence kept going until she walked onto the shore of California. When later asked how she did it, Florence said, “This time I kept a vision in my mind of the shoreline. I didn’t know exactly where it was, but when the fog set in, I kept seeing the shoreline in my mind.” During both attempts to swim from Catalina Island to the shore of California, Florence could not see the shoreline, but she knew it was there. What changed during the second attempt? Florence held onto the hope of reaching the beach as she continued with her strokes. She pictured the shoreline in her mind. She kept hope and did not give up. [1]
We all need hope to sustain forward motion in the midst of difficult times. Florence initially lost hope when she could not see the shore. Quite often we too lose hope and motivation when we cannot see the finish line.
Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Without hope, we give up. We drop out. Hope is not optional. Everyone needs it. We can live forty days without food, eight days without water, and four minutes without oxygen, but we can only really live a few seconds without hope.
Followers of Christ have the hope of eternal life with Him.[2] We have the hope that standing firm in Christ is not in vain.[3] We hold onto the hope that as we abide in Him, we will bear fruit that remains.[4] We are not like others, who have no hope.[5] Our hope in Christ helps us to stay standing even during the harshest storm.
The unreached in our world today need the hope Christ offers. They need a hope that endures all trials, a hope that offers salvation not just for the moments lived here on earth, but for all eternity. Eighty seven percent of Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists do not know a Christian who can tell them about Christ’s death and resurrection.[6] They do not have a sure foundation on which to stand or a hope that is certain.
This Resurrection weekend let’s reflect on the price Jesus paid for us and for all nations. Let’s also be ever grateful for the hope we as believers have because of His resurrection. But let us also remember the forty two percent of the world who still are waiting to have the opportunity to experience the hope only Jesus gives.
Like Florence Chadwick, fog and trials may have temporarily obscured our sight, but that fog does not erase our hope. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.[7] Jesus is risen, and through that act He proved that He is indeed worthy of all of our hope and faith.
[1] Excerpted from Nick Robertson’s forthcoming book, Seeing Clearly, referencing Don Meyer’s book, Think About It XII, 70-71.
[2] Romans 10:9-13
[3] 1 Corinthians 15:58
[4] John 15:5, 16
[5] 1 Thessalonians 4:13
[6] World Christian Encyclopedia 2020 edition.
[7] Hebrews 10:23