The Gift of Hope

Christ cured our illnesses that we might have the promise of healing. He stilled the storm that we might know where to find peace. He raised Lazarus that we might see His Sovereignty over life. He wept that we might know His capacity to mourn. He multiplied the loaves that we might trust in His ability to provide. He suffered and died that we might know He shares our pain. He rose from death so that we might no longer fear death, and He conquered sin that we might have the promise of a new and eternal life.
Why did Jesus give us these promises of a new life when He knew that the consequences of the fall would remain to test us all? They were given to us as a “Gift of Hope!” One can live without many things but one cannot live without hope: One can live without dignity if one has no pride. One can live without charity if one has no conscience. One can live without honour if one has no self respect. One can live without faith if one has no knowledge of God. One can even live without love if one has no love to share. One can live without many things but one cannot live without hope.

Hope is always needed because it feeds the soul with reasons for living; without hope life seems to hold no purpose. And so it is that Christ promised us “Abundant” life - by brining to us many gifts, and one of the most precious gifts of all, is the gift of hope.

The Secrets of the Heart

Some memories remain buried deep within the heart, they lay dormant there for all of ones life. They can direct our path without ever coming to the surface. In sad times and happy times, they may never fall upon the mind, but they still hold sway over the soul. Buried so deep within, they touch the very spirit of a person. Emotions will sometimes cause these memories to stir the subconscious, but there secret remains hidden forever. Whether the nature of these memories are love, sorrow, anguish or joy, the soul will never comprehend, sometimes they are so hidden that they appear to be only a shadow of a former life. These are the things known only to God. They drive us on, they hold us back, but only God knows the secrets of the heart.

Let your light shine

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven” (Mt 5:16)

Our Christian goal is to bring light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair, comfort where there is sorrow, healing where there is pain, fellowship where there is isolation, and peace where there is chaos, but above all, we must enkindle the fire of God’s love in the hearts of all mankind, bringing love, joy and peace. This is what it means to be the “light” and the “salt” of the earth.