Julie Fillinger

Hoping for a miracle  

When we followed the ambulance carrying Nicholas to the Emergency Room, we had hope that he would be revived. Even though it did not look promising, we prayed for a miracle.  We were hanging on, asking God to work through the ER staff and save our child. What was the basis of our Hope? 

Hope Defined  

Merriam-Webster defines hope as cherishing a desire with anticipation, to want it to happen or be true, to desire with expectation of obtaining. ¹    

If you ask Siri, she adds that you intend or aim for it to happen, that there is cause for optimism, and the chances are favorable. 

Contrast this with the biblical definition of Hope. ² It includes the certain expectation that something desired is going to happen. It is not a wish or a dream but a certainty that is based on God’s character of truth and faithfulness. What He promises will come about. There is assurance imbedded in the guarantee of the promise made.  

My Basis for Hope  

The biggest difference between how the world hopes and the Christian hopes is the basis for the hope. The world’s hope is based on man’s ability. Even with the best of intentions and pure motives, man fails. You may feel confident after an interview, only to discover there are a dozen qualified applicants. One team may be favored to win a game, but you still have to play. Parents plan for their children’s future to be secure, knowing anything can happen to their investments. There is no certainty because the basis, even in the best of circumstances, doesn’t come with a guarantee.  

The guaranteed inheritance of every child of God is the reward they will receive in heaven. The seal of that guarantee is the Holy Spirit living inside of us to help us discern and to lead, comfort, and encourage us here. Our Hope is based on entrusting our souls to the One who created us and gives us a guarantee to keep us for all eternity. This sounds great for the future, until the future robs the present. Then it doesn’t feel so good.  

Was my Hope misplaced?  

Think about the ER doctor who wanted to give me a good prognosis but he couldn’t. I knew only God could save Nicholas. He alone had the power to do so. I cried out to my Lord and my God, begging Him to let me keep Nicholas, begging Him for favor. I had not asked for much. But I asked for this:

Please Lord God, do not take my child. Please Father in Heaven, please give him back to me. Isn’t the world better with him in it? Please do this and I will proclaim your Glory to the ends of the Earth. Everyone will know this could only be You. And I believe with every fiber of my being that You can do this. All power in heaven and earth are in Your hands.

Do you know what He said? No. He said No. Does this mean my Hope was misplaced?  

My Hope was not misplaced, as much as my view of God’s plan was impoverished. I wanted Nicholas to be saved on this Earth to accomplish and experience the best this world had to offer. And I would be here to see every bit of it. But God had a different plan. God had a short earthly life for Nicholas, but an everlasting eternal life in heaven. Is heaven better than athletic accolades, prom, graduation, college scholarships, marriage, having his own children? As God has been faithfully showing me, my conclusion is an emphatic YES! 

A promise with present day encouragement  

Once I started to believe that Heaven is so much more glorious than anything this Earth has to offer, I slowly started to believe it was good for God to take my loved one there with Him. He didn’t make us for this life, He made us for the next one.     

As I consider the reality of what awaits us in Heaven, I pray for Christ’s return every day. There is nothing here that compares. God created everything here to give us a picture of the Glory that awaits. It’s not harps and clouds. It’s like the Garden of Eden, only no way to mess it up with sin. We have purpose and work we enjoy, good conversations over good food and drink. Beautiful gardens and music. Dancing. Competitions for the joy of it.  

This is a promise that comes with present day encouragement to keep looking toward eternity so I will not give up too soon. It won’t be too much longer now. The question is will I keep believing God can be trusted to keep His promises? Therein lies my Hope. 

1. “hope” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2024. Web. 9 March 2024 
2. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament. Chattanooga: AMG International 1992, revised 1993. 

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