HopeFULL
March 13, 2025 | Danielle Smalley
You may look at that spelling and think, that girl needs spellcheck. Usually, we see that word spelled hopeful, which means a feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event (dictionary.com). But in this case, it’s an intentional misspelling. We want to be Full of Hope; filled to the brim with what God has promised. This is not just a feeling; it is an anticipation and an expectation we have of God, based on what we read about Him, and saw in the life of Jesus.
Pastor Darrin preached this sermon, Hope-Full, with a focus on a man named Judas Iscariot. He was one of the twelve disciples who walked with Jesus. This means he lived with Jesus, he was able to witness first-hand the miracles and preaching we read about in the Gospels. He also performed miracles when the disciples were empowered to do so. Judas was in the inner circle with Jesus, they were friends. Can you imagine that? And then he made a choice that changed his life forever, followed by immediate regret that led to a heartbreaking decision to end his life.
We see the crazy turn his life took when he let his guard down and gave the enemy a foothold. It can be easy for me to read his story and go, man, what an idiot! What was he thinking? Didn’t he know?!?! He was one of THE disciples, the 12 we read about and learn from. Others wanted to be that close to Jesus. What was wrong with him?
But we do this today. We look at those around us and make immediate judgement-calls about them. She’s the pretty one, the smart one; has all the friends, the amazing job, the beautiful house, the perfect family, etc… He’s the good-looking one; he’s got the nice car, the brains, the perfect job, the perfect family, etc… And then when something happens – they fall, they stumble, they let the enemy get a foothold, we think, what were they thinking?!? They had everything.
What I found myself coming back to throughout Darrin’s message was two-fold: remember whose I am and to guard my heart.
Whose am I? I am a child of the most-high God. He calls me His; He delights in me; He knows everything about me and still loves me. You are too. When we know whose we are, it is far easier to keep our eyes on things that matter to God, not the things of this world.
How do I guard my heart? We are told to above all else, guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and that the peace of God will help guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). This is super important when we think of Judas’ story and the foothold he gave to the enemy. Even those closest to Jesus were not immune to the tactics of the enemy who is trying to steal, kill, and destroy our faith in Jesus.
This all sounds good to write and maybe to read, right? Just ‘remember whose you are and protect your heart’. You probably read that in a Christian devo somewhere. But the world can be dark, overwhelming, and suffocating making it hard to remember.
As a mom, I am reminded just how hard it is as I watch the impact this world can have on my kids. Darrin challenged us to be the church, to love each other, to be present, to not let anyone sit alone. I keep learning how important it is to just show up, to be there, to be a physical representation of the “hope” we have in God for those I love. I used to get tripped up on not having the words, not feeling like I knew enough; that I was not qualified to be who my kids needed in their times of depression, self-harm, and questioning. But as I remember whose I am and allow the peace of God to protect my heart and mind – I am reminded that He is all I need, not just for myself, but for those He has called me to love and support. My family, my friends, my church, and the people He puts in my path.
And what we see in Judas’ story is that stumbling can happen, even with his direct and physical connection to Jesus. He felt alone, isolated, and like he had nowhere to turn. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t get to see the rest of the story and ended his life before Jesus resurrected. We are on the other side of this truth and can hold tightly to the Hope of the resurrection. That Jesus is the love we have been hoping for all along.
If you are not Hope-Full, can I ask why? Are you in a season of darkness? We would love to sit with you. Is it because you haven’t invited Jesus into your heart yet? We can help you do that. No matter where you are, we would love the chance to sit with you and hear your story. Use this link to connect with us today.
Are you or is someone you know struggling to feel HopeFull? Check out our resources to know what to do in times of need. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text '988' for immediate crisis care.