We finally arrived at our destination. Hours of travel, packages of snacks on the floor, countless books on tape ringing in our ears, and tired children proved the worth of our effort. Finally, the mountains lay before us with their cool breezes, fresh aromas, rushing streams, and post-card autumn views. We realized the vision. We fulfilled the anticipation. The plans are now ready to unfold.
I wrote this book with the same level of anticipation. There is a hope within each of us that where we are headed—be it this life or the next—will be better than our experience today. Sure, there are disappointments, failings, and recalibrations, but in the end, we all desire great things for ourselves and those we love. Recognizing this pursuit, the purpose of this book was to lay out a vision for true success and definitions to build toward the realization of that vision. What is required of us now? Faith. Hope. Love.
Faith
When Abraham responded to God’s direction in faith, it was credited to him as righteousness. Faith moved Abraham from isolation to fellowship, and it has always been this way with God. Thus, our response to His unfolding of history is faith. This principle applies to our discipling and preparing the next generation to build a life of true success. They must understand a biblical vision and have guides to help them navigate toward its realization. Are we giving the next generation an example of faith to follow?
Hope
What held the apostle Paul through his myriad challenges was the hope that his work was not in vain. He tells the church in Rome, “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”[1] What Clarence gave George in It’s a Wonderful Life as he stood on the brink of self-destruction was hope. What every human needs is hope. However, not just any hope, but a hope rooted in eternity. The Christian’s hope informs every hope-seeking heart. Are we giving the next generation an example of hope to follow?
Love
Paul’s goal of instructing his disciples was “love from a pure heart.”[2] King David shepherded through skillfulness of hands and integrity of heart.[3] Jesus demonstrates His love through sacrifice. To love means to lose. However, the loss is gain. Therefore, love is the paradox of the Christian message. Christ’s love manifested through His loss of life on the cross was a travesty to the world. He was denied, betrayed, and abandoned. He died an agonizing death, just as any criminal would die. Moreover, according to the law, He was cursed by being hanged on a tree.[4]
However, through His death (curse), life (blessing) was given. The White Witch thought she had defeated Aslan by slaying him on the stone table, but to her surprise and dismay, his death—wrought from love—led to life. Are we giving the next generation an example of sacrificial love to follow?
Imagine a world of families building their lives toward a biblical vision of true success on a foundation of faith, hope, and love. What a wonderful world it would be.
[1] New American Standard Bible, v. Romans 8:24-25.
[2] New American Standard Bible, v. 1 Timothy 1:5.
[3] New American Standard Bible, v. Psalm 78:72.
[4] New American Standard Bible, v. Deuteronomy 21:22–23.
— June 1, 2022