Hope sometimes feels wishful, like crossing our fingers and dreaming of a good outcome.
Today, we are all hoping for different things – some important, some less so – in this wishful, it may or may not happen way. Each year I hope the Newcastle Knights will win the NRL – and I know how wishful that thinking is!
In churches across the world last Sunday candles were lit as the season of Advent began. The first Advent candle lit on Sunday represents hope. And how our world desperately yearns for a hope that is authentic, transformative, sustaining and life-giving. Not mere wishful feelings or optimistic thinking – but substantive and sustaining. I know how much I need this anchored hope afresh in my life, in a world that seems overwhelming at times.
Advent invites us to reflect on this different kind of hope – this “sure and certain hope” – rooted in God’s unchanging character, love, compassion and faithfulness, and the promise that God is restoring our broken world. As we move towards another Christmas, we are reminded that hope has come, that hope is here, that is hope is coming… and that hope has a name, Jesus!
Bishop Desmond Tutu beautifully captured the hope of the Advent season like this: “Hope is being able to see that there is always light despite the darkness”.
Yes, our world is messy and chaotic. We see hurt, injustice, brokenness and pain, across the street and around the world. Advent hope, anchored in Jesus, isn’t blind to the real world. Rather it points us anew to the light of Jesus – to goodness, peace, kindness, mercy, hospitality, generosity, justice, joy, community, beauty – all that is good in our world.
Tutu knew well the darkness, injustice and brokenness of the world, but he passionately and persistently lived in a way that declared this is not the way it will always be! He pursued shalom. He shone the light of Jesus. He lived as a beacon of hope.
With your support our intercultural team members and ministry partners bring the hope of Jesus to life, by word and deed, in local communities across Australia and the globe.
As we prepare for Christmas could I ask you to consider giving a special financial gift to Baptist Mission Australia – so together we can share the hope of Jesus with more people. You can make a Christmas donation here>>
We lit a candle in our home on Sunday night and began an Advent bible reading series. We were reminded as we look at the candle burning that we are not alone, nor bereft of hope. As we lit the candle we declared anew: “Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ will come again. Hope has a name. Jesus is the hope of the world.”
And then this challenge. As followers of Jesus, we are sent from candle gazing back into our local communities to live as hope bearers, as shalom seekers. We are called to shine the light of Jesus in the local places we live and serve, and collaboratively, we can unite around the Baptist Mission Australia global vision.
As I move across the world, I delight in seeing Desmond Tutu’s picture of hope coming to life as ordinary women and men get their hands dirty in their cities, towns, and villages living as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Goodness, peace, kindness, mercy, hospitality, generosity, justice, joy, community, beauty – all that is good in our world – comes to life through people, who haven’t got it all together, but who desire to live and love more like Jesus. That’s the desire of our intercultural team members and ministry partners around the world. I know that’s my desire. And together we can cheer each other, as the Spirit shapes Christ-likeness in us, and as we serve others in Jesus’ name.
For 150 years Australian Baptists have united to ensure that people across the globe can experience the light and hope of Jesus. More than ever, we need your support to keep doing this – in a world that desperately needs substantive and sustaining hope.
Maybe like me, you need to take hold of this “sure and certain” hope afresh today and be reminded that this Advent season you can bring light to dark places.
Grace and peace.
Scott
