The Search for Hope

If there is a commodity that the world is lacking at the present time, it’s this word ‘hope.’ Every time we turn on the news, check our phones or check out what’s happening in the world, there are wars and conflicts, there are bewildering climate events and destructive storms. Young people, in particular, seem plagued by anxiety and stress about everything from Artificial Intelligence to portraying the best version of themselves on social media and struggling with body image and relationship issues.

We seem to hear of random and destructive acts of violence in quiet villages and towns where people are assaulted and killed  for no reason, other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Nationalism is on the rise, leading to fierce racist attacks on refugees and asylum seekers. People struggle to coexist, and constantly seek to undermine those who hold different views to their own.

We see it played out in the world of politics and the media and, increasingly, it seems hard to trust our news sources.

Even reputable news sources, like the BBC, have been found to have tampered with speeches and audio recordings of the American President.

In such an overwhelming and chaotic world, where do any of us look for hope?

Six hundred years before Jesus was born, a prophecy was made about him, that he would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Gospel of Luke, which is an account of Jesus’ life, explains how these prophecies came true, and that is great news for all people.

All over the world millions of people find hope and help in knowing Jesus Christ. ‘Hope Explored’ is a 3 week series which teaches about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that examines his extraordinary claims. Through video, discussion and some materials in Luke’s gospel, ‘Hope Explored’ shows how Jesus offers us a hope worth having, a hope that won’t disappoint us.

We’re hoping to run the course over 3 Wednesdays beginning on 28th January at 7.30pm in the coffee bar. It would be lovely to invite anyone who wants to come to take a look at this really important question about where we are placing our hope, or even if it’s possible to have hope.

Christians have a hope that even goes beyond this life, and a belief that this life is not the end. It’s certainly a valuable thing to explore in these 3 sessions how Jesus fulfils those longings we have for hope, peace and purpose, so we hope you can join us.

Could I ask you to hold in your prayers the family of our friend, Stephen Whiteside, who died on Sunday after a courageous battle with illness. Stephen’s funeral will take place next Tuesday, 20th January at 2pm in the church.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

Listen to the latest episode of ‘Bitesize Chunks of Faith’