God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.
Hebrews 6: 18-19
Reflect on the word HOPE for a few moments.
“I so hope it won’t rain!” “Hopefully we’ll find a space to park” “Let’s hope we have sufficient food for everyone” “I hope God will heal me soon” “Be careful what you hope for!” and so the list goes on. Hope slips easily into wishful thinking.
What do we hope for in today’s world without borders? Where is hope found by?
Thousands fleeing their homelands to be safe?
Asylum seekers outside island nations which are protected by fences?
A mother and child squatting on an unsafe boat carrying them away?
The wage earner made redundant in the name of economic rationalisation?
A family grieving for their teenage child killed in a drug-induced brawl?
A person who is diagnosed with a terminal illness?
Where do we find hope in times of depression, uncertainty, fear, feeling lost or when we get disturbing news? Does it become a distant dream, wishful anticipation or an achievable reality?
God can be trusted. This is the basis for hope. God is faithful and encourages us to reach out to the hope that is often within our reach, but that we do not see.
Lord All-Powerful, I need to know you through your presence in my life that gives me hope when I am in need.
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.