Hanging on to Hope

The current sermon series speaks to being a people of hope. Our faith talks about the hope that lives within us, leading us to be a more hopeful and hope-filled people. And certainly, in our world today, hope is an ingredient that many hold onto as we navigate the ongoing and changing landscape on so many levels. 

Hope is what led the Israelites out of Egypt to pursue the Promised Land. Hope is what led the early disciples to hear the call of Jesus to “Come, follow me”.  It was a hope for a more inclusive church that called Cathedral of Hope into existence, and it is hope that continues to challenge us to live more fully, to create a world of justice and equality. 

I like to be a hopeful person and, I know that there have been times in my life where hope has not always been as present as I would like. I have certainly had the opportunity to allow others to be my hope at these times, holding space for me to both discover, and rediscover the hope that I find in my faith in God. I am grateful for the times that others have been the hope that I needed, and for the times when I have been the hope for others. That is one of the gifts that we can offer to each other as community, as a people of faith.  

As I have said many times, Christianity is not so much a religion as a lifestyle choice – to put on faith and hope and love every day! 

This Sunday we will hold space for people in our midst who are finding hope difficult right now. We will speak life through the words of Jesus and those early disciples who had to be reminded of the hope that is available, and we will come to understand the value of community in our ongoing journey of faithful living. Hanging in and hanging on is sometimes all that we can do. 

Cathedral of Hope has certainly been a place of hope for many over the years, specifically those who struggle reconciling their sexuality and their spirituality. Next week we will begin an online study course which will look at this very issue. I have invited one of our online viewers to join this course. He lives in the Caribbean, and we spoke via zoom. He is coming out and it is dangerous for him to do so, living where he does. He has found hope and courage by watching us every week and is excited to have the opportunity to join us. We are changing lives and our stewardship, which is a vital part of our discipleship, makes things like this possible. You are changing the world, one life at a time. 

I look forward to welcoming you again this Sunday, either in person or online as we discover, together, the God who offers us hope for today, and tomorrow.