Understanding the Foundations of Hope
An old hymn written in the nineteenth century by Edward Mote and frequently sung during missionary services, powerfully asserts that the Christian’s hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. In essence, this means that our hope is firmly rooted, grounded, and anchored in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the anointed Son of God and Savior of the world. Additionally, it has been said that “hope is faith, standing on tiptoe”—an evocative image that invites us to consider both the anticipation and active expectation that characterizes true hope.
But what do these statements truly mean, and how do they challenge us as members of God’s Church within the diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, particularly in this uniquely difficult post-Melissa era? As believers, what lessons might we draw from these words, especially at a time when many of our buildings—symbols of our history, heritage, and dreams, as a worshipping community—stand partially or completely destroyed?
Reflecting on the Diocesan Theme
Examining the theme adopted by the diocese for this season of prayerful reflection and inspired response, I am compelled to highlight that, while the physical reconstruction—the reassembling and restoring of what has been broken—is entirely possible, the restoration of hope, which transcends the merely physical, is a separate and profound matter. While it is natural to focus on the tangible needs required to restore hope, a more fundamental question arises: What is the true object of our hope? This deeper inquiry moves beyond material necessities and focuses on the source to which our hope is anchored.
In both the hymn and the affirmation quoted earlier, there is an underlying assumption that hope is inseparably connected to faith and carries with it an element of anticipation that goes beyond the physical realm. This truth is echoed in Hebrews 11:1, which, as paraphrased in The Message, suggests that hope, supported by faith, forms the foundation for everything in life worth experiencing. Anchored to faith in Jesus Christ, such hope moves us beyond the temporal, pointing us toward the eternal. Thus, in this time of reconstruction and renewal, the hope we hold and anticipate begins with a relationship—a renewed connection with the One who can turn our deepest longings into reality, even when those longings are difficult to express.
Rekindling Hope Through Prayer
One vital way this reconnection — or, as Charles Wesley might say, the rekindling of the flame of sacred love — nurtures and fuels hope is through the gift of prayer. As we study the scriptures, particularly the New Testament, we find that Jesus frequently withdrew by Himself (cf. Mark 1:35) with the primary purpose of spending time alone with the Father to speak with Him, to listen, and to ensure that the divine will was at the centre of all He did in reconstructing and realigning the relationship between God and God’s creation.
Currently, I am reading David Benner’s book, “Opening To God: Lectio Divina and Life As Prayer,” which emphasizes that rekindling this connection is not a one-time effort but a way of life. In the introduction, Benner explains that prayer is not merely spoken words but the daily opening to God, that is making oneself, as Jesus did, receptive to the blessing of hearing from God. This posture of openness aligns with the earlier statements about hope being anchored to faith and our relationship with Christ.
If I understand Benner correctly then prayer is more than words—it is the opening of our whole selves, our beings to God in loving, sometimes wordless communion, where wisdom and knowledge of the divine will, are cultivated within the constancy of our abiding. Through such prayer, the ability to discern God’s will and ways, regarding the outcomes we desire in rebuilding and reconstructing, is made known and clarified by the enabling of God’s Spirit.
Three Imperatives for a Hope-Filled Future
To conclude then, borrowing the style of the Apostle Paul, I would ask, “What then shall we say to these things?” What kind of Christian, what kind of Church, are we being called to be and become, as we envision and anticipate the future? I leave you with three imperatives, drawn from the hymn and affirmation mentioned at the beginning, which should guide you in making your response[s]:
- Christ is the rock on which we build: With Him as our foundation, life’s storms may threaten and do their worst, but they will not ultimately overcome us.
- Openness to God is the primary tool of our reconstruction: Divine wisdom and understanding flow freely when lives are unreservedly connected to God.
- A hope-filled future begins with a Christ-centred present: An ever-deepening relationship with Christ makes all the difference.
– Canon Dr. Georgia ‘Grace’ Jervis
