LETTER FROM THE editor
Hope Springs Eternal
You’ ve probably heard the saying,“ You can live three weeks without food, three days without water, but only one second without hope.” And long before that quote, English poet Alexander Pope wrote in An Essay on Man this famous line,“ Hope springs eternal,” meaning we are all inclined to cling to hope in the most desperate of situations. The question though is not whether hope is essential for survival. The greater question is: What, or Who, is your hope in?
As believers, our hope is secure in the Lord. This kind of hope is confidence in what cannot be seen. Without Him, hope is simply wishful thinking.
For some, being confident of something that is unseen may seem like a stretch. Yet, according to modern science, only about 5 % of the universe consists of visible matter. That means everything else in the universe is unseen. Yet we know that things like air, atoms and gravity exist, even though we can’ t see them.
As physical beings, we tend to focus on what we can see, and we forget that, although important, these things are temporary. What is even greater are the things that are unseen. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes,“ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
It’ s easy to fix our eyes on things like work, finances, family, social media— and the pain and problems these things can create. But as believers, we can have hope in what is unseen— the things of God that we can enjoy now in this fallen world, such as His presence, peace and joy, and in a new and perfect eternal home to come with God Himself.
As you read through this edition of CRA Today, you may notice an underlying theme of hope in the articles. That’ s just how God orchestrated it.
Learn how to reach the next generation in a way that engages young readers but also teaches them about the heart of God in“ Retailers on a Mission” by bestselling author Beth Guckenberger.
Find ways to measure key performance indicators so you can continue to faithfully steward your ministry with Jeff Bruenning’ s article“ From Calling to Clarity.”
Consider ways to share God’ s hope with others through upcoming events, like National Day of Prayer, and by“ Expanding Your Reach” with Spanish products, as shared during a CPE training session led by Joel Evans.
As we fix our eyes on what is unseen, we can have hope because of what we have seen and experienced in God’ s Word, His world and His work in our lives. Our hope in the Lord is not only secure— it is eternal.
Sincerely,
Andrea Stock
EDITOR: Andrea Stock CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Mike Solava ADVERTISING: Christy Dollins ACCOUNTING: Jen Decker
BOARD MEMBERS: Jon Curtiss Christy Dollins Les Jones Kevin VanDuyne Rachel Savage
Steven Ammons Karen Bilbrey Jeff Bruenning Jeff Crosby Joel Evans Debra Fileta Kelly Flores
CONTRIBUTORS
EDITORIAL OFFICES
200 West Bay Drive, Largo, Florida 33770
Beth Guckenberger Heide Kuhlman Bethany Martin
Janet Holm McHenry
Rachel Savage Jason Weimer
P: 727.596.7625 F: 727.593.3523
To submit comments, questions or suggestions, please email service @ munce. com
Copyright © 2026 Munce Marketing. All rights reserved.
6 CRA today / www. christianretailassociation. org