Barb Totterdell October 8th 2017 ~ Being A People of Hope

Malcolm and I were having a conversation on Monday as he read about what had happened in Las Vegas. My response was a small sigh of despair. Mal reminded me that we are not a people without hope. Indeed we are not. I have found myself this week wondering about how we ensure we remember that and live as a people with hope, rather than buy into the worlds lies and our fears and, consequently, live as a people without hope. How do you do that with regard to things in your personal life as well as when you reflect on world events?This week during one of our morning prayer times at church we were reading Philippians 4. Paul helps us in this passage with wisdom on how to live as a people who have hope. He encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always, to let our gentleness be evident to all, to remember that the Lord is near. He also exhorts us to not be anxious about anything, but rather to bring every situation to God, with thankfulness, and he reminds us that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. He also encourages us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.As we notice ourselves getting anxious about things in our lives and the lives of those around us, how are we going at bringing them to God in prayer? And are we dwelling on those things that we are anxious about or are we thinking about things that are life-giving like Paul encourages us to? And are we rejoicing in the Lord always?I’m really enjoying the lovely clear Spring mornings after what felt to me like endless days of wet Winter mornings. My experience is that as I bring the things that I’m anxious about to God, dwell on those things which are true and life-giving and rejoice in the Lord whatever the circumstances that it feels a bit like the shift from the dreariness of Winter into the clearness and freshness of Spring. I find peace in the midst of circumstances, a different perspective on life and a readiness and freedom to join with God in what He is doing in and around me. Blessings,  Barb