I recently became aware of a website where people from all over the world—including many who only have a working familiarity with English—post their wishes. Many of the wishes are not only lightweight; they are downright silly and absolutely random. Like the one that said: My wish is to collect $2,250 by 11/7/07. Isn’t that interesting? The wisher doesn’t want $10,000, or even $2,249.99. Hey, as long as you’re wishing, why not wish for a million?
Then there’s the wisher who posted this modest desire: I wish I become the most successful person in the world. I’ve got to admire that one because he decided to push it to the max, to go for the biggest prize. But how is that guy going to know if his wish is ever granted? What is the criterion for worldly success? Money? Fame? Power? And would they really be happy if they “had it all”?
There was another anonymous wisher also longed for success— but it was with a touch more realism. I wish to succeed in everything in my life; unfortunately I’m unsuccessful in everything. A few of the wishes I think betray some pretty deep longings and real distress. “Emmi” wrote (to no one in particular): I wish I could have a baby. Ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to have a child, and it seems to be the hardest thing in the world for me to achieve...
Now, all these wishes on this website… were any of them wishes with God’s name attached? Were they prayers? God only knows. When I read these postings I remember thinking to myself, “Boy, how sad!” People wish for things with no real belief that their wishing will make any difference at all. It’s an obvious exercise in futility, don’t you think, and yet they do it anyway, because… well, what are we to do with all those deep longings in our heart? A wish may be only a coin tossed in a fountain, a four-leaf clover, or a helium balloon released into the wind… but people want so much to be happy, but they don’t know what else to do or where else to turn but to wish.
Well, friend, I think you already know wishes are whipped cream, cotton candy, and a wisp of steam off your morning coffee. There’s nothing to them except a pleasant daydream that can occupy the imagination for a moment, before dumping you back into an unhappy real world with nothing accomplished and no dreams fulfilled.
But those who name Jesus Christ as Savior, we live in a real world. Children of God are all about reality, and don’t have to live on wishes. Hope – Christian hope – it is better than a wish.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Now get this) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Friend, your wishes – if that’s what you’re fantasizing over – your wishes are nothing more than wispy, spider-web filaments. But biblical hope is Christ-centered, it’s robust, it’s real, it ties us to the reality of the living God and the changeless truth of His Word. Rather than wish, grab hold of Christ-centered hope. It’s the one thing that can make a real difference… and it’s the only real answer to all your deepest longings.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 93176
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