Healing Rays of Righteousness

Hope Overflows

Not only does Christian HOPE overcome difficult and painful experiences, as expressed in last week’s blog, but HOPE also can and should overflow from us, as expressed by the psalmist David, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:5-6).

Paul concludes his theological letter to the Romans with this benediction in 15:13; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I fondly remember happily singing the children’s song, “Running over, running over; My cup is full and running over. Since the Lord saved me, I am happy as can be; My cup is full and running over.”

Christian hopefulness is rooted in a belief that there is purposeful movement in history towards a future filled with meaning. However, such “good news” is falling on ears deafen by the loud social media noises of twisted, deceptive understandings of biblical texts to amplify and attract the masses for political gain.

In chapter 3 of “FULLY ENGAGED – Missional in an Anabaptist Voice” (Herald Press, 2015), Alan Kreider suggests four things in our church history that have made it so hard to talk about our faith with each other and with non-Christians. They are Christendom, Mennonite Christendoms, the Enlightenment, and Postmodernity. And I would add “Christian Nationalism” as an increasing threat, derailing many with its intoxicating marriage of church and state.

After an interesting review of these influences, Alan states that a way forward for us Mennonites is to reconfigure the way we speak the good news.

“Conventional panaceas lead to despair, but the way of Christ leads Christians to “overflow with hope.”  And the presence of hope always elicits questions. The New Testament writers do not tell their readers to “evangelize” others. They tell them to live with hope. And if we have hope, and express that hope in deviant behavior, people will ask questions that lead to testimony. Peter puts this in classic form when he writes, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Pt. 3:15).  If we act hopefully, people want to know why.”

Yes, how we live matters. What we believe determines how we live. And our choices in daily living, worship, and work speak. I am told that Nelson Mandela repeatedly said, “May your choices reflect your hope, not your fears.”

As children of God’s family, we have been given His gift of hope – an unmerited, unique opportunity to share in God’s triumphant glory and eternal life. What a gift of purpose and hope! What an amazing gift of love! What a reason to rejoice!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 24, 2024

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Hope Overcomes

“In the darkness, see the LIGHT. In the stillness, hear the SHOUT, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the nations.” Be amazed, and sing “To us a child of hope is born, to us a son is giv’n.”

With these words, I concluded my last blog, encouraging us to make this “good news” story our story for the new year of 2024. And this past Monday we remembered Rev. Martin Luther King, a pastor-prophet who believed, lived, and boldly preached this HOPE that the child Jesus brought into our world.

And, in remembrance of his Christian witness, we sang together the powerful words of HOPE that he inspired in us; “We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some-day! Oh, deep in my heart I do believe – we shall overcome some-day.” And verse two, “We’ll walk hand in hand … some-day!” Followed byverse three, “We shall live in peace … some-day!”

These events stirred my thoughts to remember Jesus, the adult “child of hope” saying to his disciples and us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

During my years of experience as pastor-chaplain I have seen and felt the important life-giving role that Christian HOPE offers us in times of difficulty and grief. I would often say to others that we need “hope to cope” during such times. But now I say that a Christian HOPE-filled response to the pains of troubles and disappointments, offers us more than just “coping” energy. Rather, it is a HOPE that “overcomes” our experiences of darkness, dangers, and death; bringing healing to the deep wounds of grief.

This HOPE is grounded in Jesus’ death and resurrection. This HOPE is a divine gift which energizes and enables us to envision possibility, “a way through” that shapes our responses in any and every difficult, threatening circumstance or situation. This HOPE assures that “We shall overcome!”

This HOPE is not “wishful thinking” as in “I hope it doesn’t rain on our vacation,” which is a most popular use of this word.And neither is this HOPE “reasonable expectation” as when the doctor says to family members, “We have every reason to hope for full recovery” following surgical treatment to the patient. The doctor’s use of the word “hope” is based on and limited to the doctor’s past experiences.

Whereas, the “HOPE” we hear expressed by the biblical writers, is a dynamic word of confident assurance in a promised future of eternal life with our glorious, gracious God. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Yes, we will be the recipients in God’s glorious triumph in overcoming the darkness of sin and death. This is the strong, overcoming, and certain hope that God has given us in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that our faith rests on this HOPE. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1). What an amazing gift of love! What a reason to rejoice!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 17, 2024

www.geigler13.wordpress.com – Ray M. Geigley

To Us a Child of Hope Is Born

Once again, we have closed out the year by gathering with the shepherds and angels around the stable manger, giving worship to the baby born to us. And once again we remain wrapped in a world of darkness and hopeless despair.

I wonder as I wander back through these past few weeks, did I see and feel the terrifying LIGHT of the Lord’s presence and glory? In the stillness of the dark night did I really hear the angel’s SHOUT, “Today … a Savior has been born to you.”  What was the depth of my amazement as I gazed at the baby in Mary’s embrace? How much emotion was expressed in my singing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

Did I at least try to feebly feel the euphoria of renewed HOPE that this baby birthed in the hearts of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and all who heard the news? The long wait for this promised Savior had been painful and many had lost all HOPE. But now the angel’s “good news” rekindled the dying embers of HOPE within them, and they were joyfully amazed that God had not forgotten his promise to them.

The song, “To Us a Child of Hope Is Born” is an appropriate and perfect song for these first days of a new year. Listen carefully to its “good news” message and believe its promises for today’s darkness.

  1.      To us a child of hope is born, to us a son is giv’n.

            Him shall the tribes of earth o-bey, him all the hosts of heav’n,

            him shall the tribes of earth o-bey, him all the hosts of heav’n.

   2.      His name shall be the Prince of peace, for-ev-er-more a-dored,

            the Won-der-ful, the Coun-se-lor, the great and might-y Lord,

            the Won-der-ful, the Coun-se-lor, the great and might-y Lord.

   3.      His pow’r, in-creas-ing, still shall spread, his reign no end shall know.

            Jus-tice shall guard his throne a-bove, and peace a-bound be-low,

            jus-tice shall guard his throne a-bove, and peace a-bound be-low.

God’s gift of HOPE given us in Jesus’ birth, is a vibrant vision of possibilities that encourages us to live forward from where we are. In times of trouble and despair, this HOPE provides “a way forward” toward a Godly destiny of “justice” and “peace” worthy of our endurance. This HOPE is the energy that gets us out of bed in the morning and shapes our activity for the day. It also helps us to sleep well at night, knowing that we are lovingly protected and provided for by this child of HOPE, named Jesus.

In both church and non-church conversations I hear a lot of despair being spoken. The daily news is mostly painful and ugly, and the year 2024 looks to be dangerously worse. For many people, of all nationalities, religious beliefs, and political preferences, there seems to be little hope for any “good news” to happen.

However, as children of God’s family, we are given the unmerited gift of HOPE, which propels us forward, joyfully sharing in God’s “with us” peace and triumphant glory. What an amazing gift of love! What a reason to rejoice!

In the darkness, see the LIGHT. In the stillness, hear the SHOUT, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  Be amazed, and sing “To us a child of hope is born, to us a son is giv’n.” 

Yes, let us make the “good news” story our story for the new year of 2024. And maybe our neighbors and friends will take notice … be amazed … changed … and join with us in singing the song of HOPE.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 3, 2024

www.geigler13.wordpress.com – Ray M. Geigley