By Michael Botts, Hannover, Germany

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Living Hope has two meanings for me, somewhat like the two sides of a coin. On one hand, I am reminded of the living hope that Jesus brings us in stories in the New Testament. Think of the dramatic story of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus did not condemn her, but gave her new life. What a wonderful example of forgiveness and hope! Or the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. She was moved to leave her water jar at the well and run back to her village with a story of hope.

These stories still move us today, especially in dark times, when living hope can be a bright light for us and those around us. I grew up with the songs of Simon and Garfunkel, and one of their songs always remind me of this kind of hope. They sing that when the pain and problems and tears in this world overwhelm you, they will be like a “bridge over troubled water,” or hope in darkness.

So here is the second side to living hope. Hope is not only something we receive through encounters with Jesus, but it is something that we can give! We, both personally and in community, are called to offer hope to all, and to be that bridge for those who are weary, or feeling small, or in rough times.

Isn’t it wonderful not only to hear the stories of living hope, but to be called to be the hope of Zion, to be the light of the world! Yes, we can experience both sides of the coin.

May God bless the bridge of living hope you build today. Amen!

Prayer Phrase

“See, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

Weaving a Life

Hold, or imagine yourself holding, a piece of patterned cloth. Examine it carefully. Notice overlapping threads, mingling colors that form the design. Write a journal entry or meditate about the threads and patterns of your life. What design do you see? How does the life pattern you are weaving create justice and wholeness in God’s world? What new pattern is God calling you to weave?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.