Voice of Hope

  Like so many these days, I often find myself checking the news on COVID-19 and our global response several times a day.  Sometimes it can be a bit stressful and at times even discouraging.  But I also like when I see a person who is a seasoned expert who can also be a voice of hope in this current pandemic.  In my Sunday message this past Sunday I mentioned one of the voices of hope to me that rings through the ages is the Apostle Paul who was a seasoned veteran of the faith who was writing a letter to Timothy, the young man he had mentored in faith and ministry.  Paul is himself facing difficult times as he is in prison waiting possible execution, but he also knows that the younger Timothy is leading a church that is facing significant challenge and adversity.  So even amid his own difficulty Paul pens a letter of hope found in 2 Timothy.  Whether we are young or old, now is a great time to be a voice of hope.  Hope is like a candle that shines brightest in the darkest night.  Our world, our communities and even our families are struggling now with some of the realities of the night of sickness and suffering and isolation.  So, I encourage you to put a candle in your window or put up some Christmas lights as a symbol of hope.  But also be a voice of hope to someone today and in the days ahead. The Apostle Paul does not sugarcoat the realities of persecution but he speaks these great words to Timothy that ring down through the ages to us:
 
(scripture of the week)
“for God did not give us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6–7)
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, calm the fears in my own heart with your peace and presence and help me to be a voice of hope in our world today, amen.
 
(quote of the week)
“Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers”-- Fred Rogers “Mister Rogers”
 
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