I think I’ve mentioned it before, I’m a sucker for happy endings. I always want the guy next door to find the girl next door. For the girl next door to find her Prince Charming and with him live together happily ever after. I want clean resolutions, everything coming together as the band plays and the sun shines, and all the loose ends are wrapped up with a bow on top. As I think about it, though I’m not much of a Hallmark movie watcher, I probably should be.

But as I read in 1Peter this morning, I realize that even if every season had a happy ending, that if every trial and testing experienced in this life cleanly produced a positive outcome, that it would be but a happy ending for a fleeting, temporal sub-plot. For Peter, in writing to believers who are going through the ringer, encourages them to keep on keepin’ on by never losing sight of the happiest of endings.

They were living as exiles (1:1). They were suffering grief in various trials (1:6). And, says Peter, they were receiving the goal of their faith, the salvation of their souls (1:9). Though it was a perpetually rocky road, they needed to be reminded they were on the path to the promise. Though they felt like strangers in the land, they mustn’t forget that their pilgrimage was toward a heavenly homeland, a better place yet to come “whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10,14-15). That while a happy ending for their current season might bring welcomed respite, the happiest of endings awaited them through the fullness of their redemption.

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(1Peter 1:13 CSB)

A lot of things we can hope for. But, says the Spirit, Set your hope completely on the grace to brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the game we think we’re playing; the ultimate endgame is that Jesus is coming again. Regardless of how we think a current situation should work out, or how we would desire a difficult season to play out, the Spirit says, in effect, “Get your head in the game, thinking clearly about your future, and aim for nothing less than the prize of the promise of the fullness of grace to be realized when you see your Savior face to face.” That’s the happiest of endings.

Not that desiring relief here and now is wrong or inappropriate. But realizing that relief here and now really isn’t the prize, nor is it promised. But what is sure, is that Jesus is coming again.

And when that day comes, this guy will have found something so much better than the girl next door. And that girl will behold a Bridegroom far beyond anything she could have imagined. The band will play but there’ll be no need for the sun to shine, for the Lord God will be our light (Rev.22:5). And the i’s will be dotted, the t’s will be crossed, as all things will be made right. The bow on top of it all? Jesus Himself!

“Look, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to his work.” ~ Jesus

(Revelation 22:12 CSB)

O’ Lord, let me not be concerned about, nor content with happy endings of my own design and liking. But help me set my hope completely on the grace to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

By Your grace. For Your glory.