Have you ever noticed that hope placed in people, circumstances, or other earthly things quite often lead to frustration, agitation, and disappointment, making it hard to love those who let us down or continue to do good in those situations that led to heartbreak?

I have.  And I think that’s why one little verse found in Colossians never ceases to challenge me:  where, truly, is my hope?

Paul, in sharing with these beloved believers states, “For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which comes from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven.”  (1:4-5)

Heaven’s hope.  Could that be the key for you and me? Could remembering this hope be what spurs us on to living a faith-filled life, while motivating (and freeing) us to love His children?  Does heaven’s hope really do any earthly good and if so, how can this hope influence our daily lives?

Consider the words of Albert Barnes, “The evidence which (Paul) had that this hope was theirs, was founded on the faith and love to the saints which he heard they had evinced.  He fully believed that where there was such faith and love, there was a well-founded hope of heaven.”

Is it not this hope that enabled Moses to live faith-filled and endure the hardships of God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin?  (Hebrews 11:24-27)

Is it not this hope that enables us to withstand our troubles? (2 Cor. 4:16-18, John 14:1-3)

Is it not this hope that can spur us on to freely love His people, expecting nothing in return, even when it’s hard?  
(Matthew 25:31-40, Luke 6:32-36)

And is it not this hope that we are told to hold on to, while spurring others on toward love and good deeds as we see the Day approaching?  (Hebrews 10:23-24)

Friends, let us all consider: where is our hope today? And who can we spur on in the “hope of heaven”?