Spring has arrived, and with it, the season when my wife begins selecting plants for our vegetable garden and preparing the soil for seed planting. Planting seeds serves as a great illustration of both faith and hope. As foundational basics of the Christian life, faith and hope are intertwined with God’s promises, cemented as two crucial cornerstones. However, despite their connection, it is essential to distinguish between these two concepts.
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for
Faith, a noun, demonstrates a profound trust in God and His promises, even without physical evidence, because He has shown himself to be faithful throughout history. The author of Hebrews states that faith is the:
“…confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1b, NIV).
When we place our faith in Christ, we say, “I trust in You, Christ, not merely in the outcomes You promise. You, Yourself, are trustworthy.” Faith is action-oriented; it propels believers to live out God’s commands and trust in His provisions even when the outcomes are not yet visible. It’s about the here and now, actively living out our beliefs today.
Consider that when you plant a seed, you act on faith in the present, believing that this plant will grow. You can’t see the growth immediately, but you water and care for it, believing in the eventual outcome. This analogy simplifies the concept but shows a current, active trust in a desired result.
Hope is the expectation of future blessings
Hope is a feeling, a noun, and an action, a verb, that embodies a calm and confident anticipation of God’s unseen promises. Hope, while seeded in faith, looks past the now and looks to the future. So, while we can’t see all of God’s promises yet, hope fills us with a deep sense of joy and peace.
Just as planting seeds illustrates faith in action, hope looks forward to those seeds growing into fruit-bearing trees. When we plant seeds, we act on faith that they will sprout and nurture a hope for their future: that these seedlings will mature into trees loaded with juicy, delicious fruit.
The distinction between faith and hope parallels anticipation and realization. Hope looks ahead with solid certainty, eagerly anticipating what’s to come. It’s not mere wishing; it’s knowing something extraordinary awaits.
How do you facing fears, finding strength in wisdom and humility? Find out here.
Planting seeds of faith and hope
Both faith and hope are essential and complementary aspects of the Christian walk. Faith lets us grasp what’s promised for tomorrow, appreciating its truth and beauty in the middle of today. While hope is like being a patient gardener who knows that seasons pass and growth takes time, it watches over the tender shoots of faith and awaits the future promises of fruit. Paul tells us in Titus,
“Our identity as followers of Christ is deeply rooted in hope, anchored in the promise of eternal life God has given us” (Titus 1:2, NIV).
Faith provides the foundation for our actions and decisions, while hope offers strength and perseverance to face tomorrow’s challenges.
I encourage you to get out and enjoy this spring and maybe even plant a few seeds in a garden box, a pot, or a yard as a physical reminder of your faith. As you tend to your seeds, remember to read their directions on how to take care of them, and let each step of their growth be a moment to reflect on your faith and hope in God’s unseen promises.
