In the movie, Rogue One, Jyn Erso, speaking about finishing the mission even though it seemed dire and impossible to succeed, says, “Rebellions are built on hope.”

Hope is a funny thing. It can push us completely outside our limits, to stretch further than we have ever stretched before. And it exudes an amazing sense of trust in something or someone else.

Hope is a strong desire with the expectation of attainment and a feeling of trust.

Athlete, where do you place your hope?

Paul, when writing to the church in Philippi, encouraged and built them up when he said, “And I am sure (confident, steadfast) of this, that He (God) who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

There was no second-guessing, Paul was steadfast that the One who set the stars in motion, who created the heavens, who set His foot upon this earth, died on the cross, and rose from the grave is not done with you or me.

He will continue to do the good work He started in you, through the Cross. And He will see it through to completion. He will not stop halfway, or even at the 90 percent mark; He will see it to completion.

With our hope in God, there is a genuine spiritual progress that is rooted in what God has done, is doing and will do. Our hope is fixed on Christ and the promise that He will never let us go.

There is hope for being extraordinary in this life, not because of ourselves or our actions, but because of our faith in Christ – the focus and anchor for our hope, and our hope of eternity with Him.

Reflect: Athlete, What is your experience of having hope in your life? Where or in what is your hope fixed?

How will your hope in Christ affect these areas of your life?

• Motivation
• Expectations
• Actions
• Purpose
• Obstacles/Difficulties