One of my students wrote the following in a paper on the relationship of hope and mission …
Witnesses that speak of God’s power to change the lives of others, yet live in defeat, are not very convincing. With hope, we must realize that redemption is possible in all areas of our lives. In this way, we embody hope. We must also tell about this hope that we have experienced. We must utter that we have seen another way to live.
Hope and mission – the two truly go hand-in-hand. We can go through all the right motions, execute the right strategies, and follow the latest formulas, but if we do not have hope, live in hope, experience hope then our message is hollow, our actions are empty. We are to utter with hope that there is another way to live.
ouch….i needed those words today. thanks.
Dr. Stroope,
Just wanted you to know that I’m really thankful you blog. I read it often…no set pattern, really, but when I do, your observations become fodder in my everyday journey and thinking about church and life.
I am coming to a deeper knowledge of the great redemption of Christ and really what great hope that offers. It’s reverberating inside of me.
so, thanks, for giving fodder for this ragamuffin Christ follower.
thanks,
Brooke
Brooke,
I am thankful that someone is actually reading this stuff … especially that the someone is you. I appreciate the manner in which you continue to journey and the witness to hope you give. As you know, I am merely writing about my journey through mission and church with the hope that it helps and encourages others.
Peace and hope to you.