MARCH 26

The Hope of Your Calling

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-22

In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, she became disoriented, and she gave up. To her chagrin, Chadwick learned that she had quit just 1 mile short of her destination.  Two months later Chadwick tried a second time to swim to Catalina Island from the coast. Again a thick fog settled in, but this time she reached her destination, becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. Chadwick said she kept an image of the shoreline in her mind even when she couldn’t see it.

We, as believers, are pilgrims on a journey to a place we’ve not yet seen.  For now we are encouraged to persevere as we look “to the hope laid up for (us) in heaven” (Colossians 1:5).  We haven’t seen that which awaits us.  We can’t see it now.  But we’ve a Helper in the Holy Spirit who works both to assure us and to keep us looking to our destination.

Ephesians 1:15-22 constitutes a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the believers in Ephesus.  Paul had previously instructed these believers on their future hope (Ephesians 1:13-14), here he prays that they would know of their hope and the riches of his glorious inheritance.  His instruction to them was needful and important, but Paul also appreciated the importance and value of prayer.  So He prayed that the eyes of their hearts would be opened to see what he had previously spoken of.  Put simply, Paul was praying that these believers might be filled with hope, and have their hope set firmly on their glorious future. Or, to simplify the matter further, he was in essence praying that they would be “heavenly minded” Christians!

We tend to forget or underestimate the role of the Holy Spirit in this work.  And while He fulfills various roles in our lives, his chief work is to unveil to us the glory of Jesus (John 16:14).  He is constantly working to manifest the presence and glory of Jesus to us, in us, and through us.  He helps us to see, enlightening the eyes of our hearts, that which we otherwise cannot see.  In directing our souls Christ-ward, he is in fact working, even now, to open our eyes to that which God has prepared for us.  It is by the Spirit that we were born again to salvation.  And it is by the Spirit we were born again to a longing for heaven.  It is by the Spirit that we are enabled to set our minds on things above, and not on things that are on the earth.  

In praying as he did, the Apostle Paul has set a good example for us. So many of our prayers are regarding earth-bound concerns, but we would do well to include these kinds of heaven-ward prayers.  God uses prayer to change our hearts and our perspective.  Recall that hope is an attitude, a way of thinking.  The Spirit works through the Word to renew our minds, that our attitudes will be as they should be.  Prayer is integral to this work, and is necessary if we are to keep our eyes on the prize of what awaits us in heaven!!

D. A. Carson, “In our generation, which reflects too little on the future and almost never on eternity, it is distressingly obvious that we need help, help from God, so as to be able to know the hope to which we have been called.  Only then will we become more interested in living with eternity’s values constantly before our eyes.  What we will have to show before the great King on the last day will be infinitely more important to us than what we leave behind here.”

By the Spirit we Behold the Glory of Jesus and the Hope Laid Up for us in Heaven

Heavenly Father.  It’s all to the praise of the glory of Your grace!  You’ve chosen us and adopted us as Your children.  In Jesus we’ve been redeemed and forgiven, according to Your eternal plan.  You’ve sealed us by the Spirit, and guaranteed to us an inheritance in heaven!  May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened that we might live daily according to the hope of this high calling You’ve prepared for us!  Forgive us for our propensity to set our minds on earthly fare, when you’ve prepared for us a future banquet of blessings!  May we be Spirit led and empowered to eagerly anticipate that which You’ve graciously set before us!  Amen.

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment