Where we place our hope
By Andy Fleming, Associate Chaplain
In preparation for the first Chapel of the term, I asked the Year 12 students what they hoped for as the end of lockdown came into view. Naturally, their answers ranged from more everyday types of things like seeing their friends, to being able to attend end-of-year celebrations and travel overseas next year or attend university on-campus. Having not thought about it myself, I have to admit that I didn’t have a response to what my post-lockdown hopes are. Although I look forward to not having to wear masks (a shout out to anyone else whose glasses constantly ‘fog up’), I guess I assume that things will eventually go back to some semblance of normalcy.
The Chapel theme of Hope provided me with the opportunity to share a message from the Apostle Paul that is one of my favourite Bible passages. Romans 5:1-5 was included in my 18th birthday message from my parents and, as we’ve continually experienced unique pressures over the past two years, these words have grounded me on what is important and helped me keep perspective.
Here, Paul is writing about how hope is developed through living in difficult circumstances; a time that one has to endure. In turn, enduring hard times will help us build our character, in that we know that the next time we endure difficult times, we can have hope that our faith in Jesus will lead us out of the period of challenges and struggles to a time of things being better. This is why Paul suggests we can 'rejoice' – there is going to be something so much better coming...
As we draw ever closer to all students coming back to face-to-face learning, I’m sure we all hope for an end to the school year with as many end-of-year events to celebrate the achievements of the students as possible. As we all continue to experience the pressures of the restrictions placed on our lives, I pray that you will find hope in the better times ahead.
As we all prepare for the return of all students to campus, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15.13).
Peace be with you,
Chaplain Andy