Hope Series Episode 14

Hope Series Episode 14

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There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. Ephesians 4:4

Hello, my walking friend! Ready for another dose of motivation to keep up your habit of walking and walking with Jesus? Did you know that walking can help tame a sweet tooth? A pair of studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can reduce cravings and intake of a variety of sugary snacks. Not bad, huh?

Today is the 14th episode in the hope series and our verse to meditate on is Ephesians 4:4:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

Have you ever thought about the fact that the same Holy Spirit that dwells in you also dwells in me? That we, the body of Christ, are all connected spiritually? That’s one of those things that blows my mind. But there have been many times when I have met someone who is a believer and there is an instant connection. It’s hard to explain, but it’s just like a knowing, like we’re coming from the same place. Do you know what I am talking about? Have you ever experienced that?

Matthew Henry said in his commentary about this verse: If we belong to Christ, we are all actuated by one and the same Spirit, and therefore should be one. Even as you are called in one hope of your calling. Hope is here put for its object, the thing hoped for, the heavenly inheritance, to the hope of which we are called. All Christians are called to the same hope of eternal life. There is one Christ that they all hope in, and one heaven that they are all hoping for; and therefore they should be of one heart.
In the world today, it can feel at times like we walk alone. Like we are more divided than unified. I wonder if the Ephesians felt that way, too, and maybe that is why Paul included these encouraging words in his letter. Certainly they experienced what we do – the difficulty of standing firm in your faith in a world that opposes your faith. The early Christian church was physically separated from one another – there were no cars to get you to a neighboring congregation, no Internet to find encouraging sermons or Instagram posts. And so, Paul reminds them that they are not alone, but part of a larger family of God, united by the Holy Spirit and the gospel. They share a common hope, a common faith, and a common destiny. They have one Lord, Jesus Christ, who died for their sins and rose again to give them new life. They have one God and Father, who loves them and cares for them as his children.
Sometimes I think we need to be reminded of that, too. They had good reason for the hope that they had – and we do, too. God’s word is true. Jesus has promised that to those who profess him as Lord and Savior, he will save. We have an eternal home with him in heaven. And, somehow, it just helps to know that we don’t hope alone. It helps to know that there are so many of us, and many more being added daily, who are walking down the same path toward the ultimate hope, really, it’s more like an assurance, of one day being with our Lord and Savior face to face.

When you feel discouraged, like you are outnumbered by unbelievers, think about 2 Kings chapter 6. I love this story about Elisha and his servant. Listen to verses 15-17:

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet (Elisha) answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

So when you feel discouraged, ask the Lord to open your eyes, like he did for the servant of Elisha, to see all those who walk with you and share the same hope that you have.

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on today’s verse, Ephesians 4:4:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection.

Have you ever thought of laughter as a spiritual expression? If not, consider that Jesus was a man of joy who surely smiled and laughed a lot, and we are called to be like him.

Do you reach out to other believers when you are struggling with hopelessness? If so, how does that help? In not, what do you think keeps you from reaching out to your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Can you think of a time when you were a comfort to someone else who was going through a hard time? Why do you think you could offer them hope in their time of need?

Now let’s listen to today’s verse one last time:
Ephesians 4:4:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for my family of believers. Thank you for creating me for community. Help me remember I don’t have to do life on my own. You have blessed me with the opportunity to be part of a church and to make friends who love you as much as I do. I know how important it is to have someone share hope with me when I feel hopeless. If I have not made myself a part of a church family or cultivated Godly relationships, then help me do that now. You are my most important relationship, Jesus, and I thank you for being my all in all. I thank you for reminding me that you like laughter. Just thinking about that makes me smile. Thank you for laughter, Jesus, and thank you for walking with me always. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, the head of our church. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today.

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our series on Biblical hope. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.