Those were words of hope expressed by a Christian teacher to one of her young learners. Rolihlahla (trouble maker) was seven years old when his mother had him baptized in the Wesleyan church. On his first day at school, all washed and dressed up in his father’s appropriately modified trousers which were tied round the urchin’s waist with a piece of string, his mentor, Miss Mdingane, expressed a hope that the young rural boy would one day become an international figure of the stature of the British Admiral, Lord Nelson.
Mdingane’s hope for the youngster was expressed in these words, ‘Now that you are a Christian and going to school, you will need a Christian name. From now on you will be called Nelson.’ When we come to Christ, he not only calls us his friends, but also gives us a new hope.
Without hope the Christian walk would be meaningless. It would be no more than fatalistic human philosophies which espouse the notion that ‘what will be will be.’ In exciting contrast, the biblical record and Christian testimony are both based on a firm belief that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33) and that no one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame (Psalm 25:3).
Watch this spot for the next eight weeks. I will give brief reflections on Christian hope. Any feedback from you will be highly appreciated. I close with words from the writer of the letter to Hebrews, ‘Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful’. Heb 10:23
Meditation
What is your hope based on? Past successes, tried and tested church traditions, or political and economic stability? All of those are like shifting sand. A steadfast hope has to be based on Christ, and on him alone.
Shalom,
Moshe.
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