Hi Everyone,
Well, it's been an interesting 24 hours. Even I'm interested in the football which must be a world first!
One of the things that I love about the big international events is that there's this shift that happens at some point where despair and doubt turn to hope and joy. I can see it in my own family; sharing a house with a football fan gives me a close up view of this phenomenon. Last night there was singing in the streets (and our house), not because the competition has been won but because there is hope.
It's what we do isn't it. We might not all be great singers but we sing when filled with joy and hope because it's how we are made (the less flattering image that came to mind is the cute chumbling noise that happy guinea pigs make!). I think it's why I have missed singing in church so much. Amazing Grace is like the Christian version of Three Lions. It's a hope filled anthem that sings out our faith (I'm smiling now trying to guess which one of those two songs is now stuck in your head).
We sing because Jesus has won a great victory and because we believe that he will bring it to completion. That he is making all things right, he's redeeming and renewing all of creation and he's building a kingdom that knows no end.
That's kind of where the football analogy falls down. You see, whilst last night was a great victory for the England football team, Saturday will be just as nail biting because the victory is hoped for but not certain or assured. Yet, this faith we have in Jesus is absolutely certain and assured. I can't guarantee what will happen on Saturday but I can promise that my heart will be singing on Sunday and everyday forever more.
So whatever happens this weekend, enjoy it. Have fun because we all really need fun in our lives in right now. But, if it all goes to pot on penalties, be assured that there is still plenty to sing about because there is hope.
With love
Jess
Well, it's been an interesting 24 hours. Even I'm interested in the football which must be a world first!
One of the things that I love about the big international events is that there's this shift that happens at some point where despair and doubt turn to hope and joy. I can see it in my own family; sharing a house with a football fan gives me a close up view of this phenomenon. Last night there was singing in the streets (and our house), not because the competition has been won but because there is hope.
It's what we do isn't it. We might not all be great singers but we sing when filled with joy and hope because it's how we are made (the less flattering image that came to mind is the cute chumbling noise that happy guinea pigs make!). I think it's why I have missed singing in church so much. Amazing Grace is like the Christian version of Three Lions. It's a hope filled anthem that sings out our faith (I'm smiling now trying to guess which one of those two songs is now stuck in your head).
We sing because Jesus has won a great victory and because we believe that he will bring it to completion. That he is making all things right, he's redeeming and renewing all of creation and he's building a kingdom that knows no end.
That's kind of where the football analogy falls down. You see, whilst last night was a great victory for the England football team, Saturday will be just as nail biting because the victory is hoped for but not certain or assured. Yet, this faith we have in Jesus is absolutely certain and assured. I can't guarantee what will happen on Saturday but I can promise that my heart will be singing on Sunday and everyday forever more.
So whatever happens this weekend, enjoy it. Have fun because we all really need fun in our lives in right now. But, if it all goes to pot on penalties, be assured that there is still plenty to sing about because there is hope.
With love
Jess
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