Do You Have Meaning and Hope for This Life, and for Eternity?

On September 15 I shared God’s word at the funeral of Joanne Fritz. Joanne was a friend I have known since 1991, and the wife Rolland Fritz, deceased former pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church. She had chosen two verses for her service, Psalm 23, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Please consider with me 1 Thessalonians 4:13. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) How often does it look like our world lacks hope?

One of the signs of lacking hope which stands out to me is the increasing suicide rate. According to the latest statistics I could find, suicide is increasing in America, and Alaska faces this tragedy at twice the national average.

Another behavior which shouts to me about a lack of hope is turning to substances or drugs for an escape or release from the pressures of this world. Also, the rising incidence of anxiety issues speak of hopelessness. The search for identity in new and different life-styles also speaks to me of hopelessness. As I look around our world, I see people who are hurting and do not seem to know where to turn.

Then I read a story in the Anchorage Daily News last week about the decline of people practicing a faith life, or religion. According to a recent study released by Pew Research Center, religious practice is down. According to Chip Rotolo, the main author of this 2024 study, 40 percent of Alaskans “seldom or never pray. That’s up 10 points from 2014, the most recent Pew Study.” Also, “The share of those who say religion is not too important or not at all important, it’s 43%. That’s up 13 points from 10 years ago, so also significant.” (Anchorage Daily News – The Alaska Beacon)

My question is, for all those who do not have a faith life, who do not believe there is a Creator, a Savior, or a Comforter, where do they find meaning? Where do they find hope? No wonder many act as if life holds no hope.

However, for any who feel hopeless, who are overwhelmed by life, for any who feel they have no identity or no purpose, for those who grieve without hope, I have good news I would like to share. For people who are looking for purpose, God tells us He created us, and makes each of us in His image. (Genesis 1:26-27) We are each blessed with gifts to share with others. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) What a source of identity and purpose!, Our identity and purpose are found in God!

For those who feel unloved, God loved us so much He GAVE, He SACRIFICED, He sent His only Son to save us. We determine the value of an item by how much people might be willing to pay for that item. Our Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus, paid the ultimate price for each of us. Our Lord’s love is real and tangible. In a world without hope, the love of God gives hope which cannot be taken away. (Romans 8:37-39)

In a world where people often feel lonely, Jesus tells us “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) We are NOT alone! The Lord of all is with us, always!

For people who overwhelmed by death, our Lord gives the promise of eternal life in Jesus!

While we are lost on our own, we have hope in Jesus. Please consider these verses from the apostles Paul and Peter. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,” (1 Timothy 1:1) In a world where life can seem without hope, Jesus IS our hope. Or, think about 1 Peter 1:3-4. “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,” For people who are lonely, unloved, overwhelmed, without purpose or a future, Our Heavenly Father gives birth to a living hope, in Jesus. He promises, not just help in this life, but an unfading life in heaven.

Yes, our world has many problems. Because those problems are bigger than we are, they can seem overwhelming. It is easy to lose hope. However, God’s power and love and salvation are bigger than the problems of our lives. God is bigger than the problems of this world. Because I know Jesus, I have hope.

How about you? Do you have meaning and hope for this life, and for eternity? Do you perhaps know someone who needs hope? If so, I would like to introduce you to the Lord of power and love and life, and His Son, Jesus! Jesus is a reason for and the source of hope!