Potomac Conference | Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Instinct of Hope

Editorial by Bill Miller

In the animal kingdom, species like wallabies and aardvarks are not thought to be creatures of hope, rather creatures of instinct. National Geographic hasn’t spotted them writing New Year’s resolutions or making birthday wishes, rather “wallabying” and “aardvarking” until they die, generally living one survival moment to the next. To truly hope is to be human.

At the beginning of a new year, we look to the future with hope and optimism. “This year will be different!” we think. “This year, I resolve to ... ,” and we insert a task to accomplish or a different mindset. Coming out of a particularly tough 2020, many of us hope for a simpler, less anxiety-provoking 2021, because we don’t hope in the past—we hope in the future.

God’s grace allows us to hope and be creators of our own future. Galatians 6:7–8 reminds us that the choices we make today determine some of our outcomes for tomorrow: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (NIV).

February 24, 2021: Two Are Better Than One

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Eccl. 4:9, NKJV).

This verse is one of my favorites because it encourages teamwork. I like working in groups and working with my friends on projects because it’s fun! We learn so much from each other.

Have you ever done a group project and the other person won’t work with you? How does that make you feel? It probably makes you feel sad because you’re the only one working. My teacher assigned a group project in school, and I was excited to work on the project, but my teammate didn’t want to do much of the work. I tried to talk to him and encourage him to work with me on the project so that we could finish it and it would not be a lot of work for both of us.

February 20, 2021: A Lesson in Perseverance

“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?

Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.

Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified me. God, what is happening? I began to ask.

February 12, 2021: Hoping for a Future

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, NKJV).

All my life, God has called me to trust and obey Him. I had no idea how old I’d be when I got married or if I’d have children or what my career path would be, but He did. Referring to Him giving us a future and hope, Jeremiah goes on to say that we are to seek, find and search for God with all of our hearts. And that’s exactly what I did.

February 11, 2021: He’s Preparing a Place

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you will be also” (John 14:3, ESV).

I have heard this beautiful verse read many times in sermons. Preachers strive to describe what Jesus is preparing in heaven. Apparently, Jesus has a great construction company, and He has been building luxurious houses for the redeemed for more than 2,000 years. But the reality is that the verse just prior says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwellings.” So what did Jesus go to prepare?