…Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.

Colossians 1:27 NIV

At nine years old, my understanding of the word hope was something like:

I sure hope it doesn’t rain our game out.

I hope we never have liver again

But during my senior year at Belmont, I learned of the hope that means so much more to believers. As BSU President, it was my responsibility along with our Directors, Gene and Fran Bolin and Faculty Advisor Andy Clarke, to plan the week’s events of our annual Christian Emphasis Week. Fran suggested Colossians 1:27 as our key verse. But what did it mean “Christ in you . . . “?

I remembered my earliest childhood memories of Sunday School with teachers Unave Bolton and Mable Smith and hearing over and over, “Ask Jesus into your heart.” You can just imagine what goes through the mind of a four or five year old: “Jesus can’t possibly live in my heart—or can He?”

Now fast forward back to campus. I am beginning to see the light and that realization has been reinforced time and time again through the years to present day in classes taught by Joyce Wyatt.

Strong’s Concordance defines heart as “the desire and decisions that define who you are.” Jesus wants to be Lord of your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. And there it is, the Hope of Glory is a biblical truth that as a believer in Christ, and what He did on the cross, I am assured of a life-everlasting in the presence of my Creator and Lord and Savior.

Father, we do live in a weary world, but there is the thrill of hope You bring: the fulfillment of Your promise to restore us and all creation. Thank You for Your Son Jesus and the Hope of Glory He brings for us all. AMEN!