Counting the Days: December 20, 2025

When the Game Isn’t Over Yet: Hope in What’s Already Won

Belinda McFerren, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Read: Romans 8:24-25

“Hope expects what faith believes.”
— Jürgen Moltmann (AD 1926 – AD 2024)

When I arrive home some evenings in the fall, and I see my husband standing with his eyes glued to his wall of TVs, full of nervous energy, rubbing his hands together like he is trying to warm frozen fingers, I know he is watching the end of a close football game. If the game is super exciting, he’ll call out to me and say that I should come watch right now! (Of course, I usually don’t know which game to look at since he has multiple games on the screens.)

I don’t see that excitement when it’s the last minute of the game, and it’s a blow-out. If it’s the end of the game, and his team is obviously going to win, he has faith that his team will win, but faith with no need for hope is no fun. He does not hope for the win because he already sees that they have won. It’s very different from hoping that your team somehow pulls out a win despite the odds. And yes, those Hail Mary wins cause lots of joy (and lots of victory shouting/noise)!

If we already know that God has promised us eternal life with him, why do we experience hope for our eternal home? If we know we are going to win the game, why do we talk about hope?

Hope is not just wishful thinking; hope is an eager anticipation for a future reality. If you were going to experience a huge change for the rest of your life based on the outcome of a football game, you would still have hope even though the win was definite because you would not yet have experienced a changed life. For Christians, having assurance does not lessen the exuberant joy for a future place of abounding love. We yearn for eternal life united with those we love, we yearn for a body that does not hurt or fail, and we yearn to feel completely loved and accepted. We do not yet have these things we long for, but we have hope that they will be, and thankfully, our hope is anchored in the truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the victory You have already secured for us in Christ. As we wait for the fullness of Your promise, fill us with steady hope, joyful anticipation, and unwavering trust in Your unfailing love. Amen.