John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.”
These words of Jesus are the foundation and basis for Christian hope, an advent hope. Our hope in life is based on the victory of Jesus over death, and on his ongoing presence in our lives. His is a saving and energising presence, and it gives the courage and conviction we develop in prayer. He has conquered anything that can make for discouragement and despair.
One night at dinner a man, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: “Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.”
Advent, if nothing else, is a time where we are to exercise hope, but to do so in such a way that the peace of Christ encourages us not be anxious about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
God of peace,
cause us to rejoice in you always,
make us gentle to everyone,
keep us from being anxious about anything—
help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving;
and let your peace
guard our hearts and minds
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment