Reason For Hope
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Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald
Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing:
The stream of passing years is like a river with people being carried along in the current. Some are swept along, protesting, fighting all the way, trying to swim back up the stream, longing for the shores they have passed, clutching at anything to retard their progress, frightened by the onward rush of the strong current, and in danger of being overwhelmed. Others go with the current freely, trusting themselves to the buoyancy of the waters, knowing they will bear them up. And so with very little effort, they go floating safely along, gaining more courage and strength from their experience with waves. As each year comes, these waves upon the river bear us further along toward the ocean of eternity, either protesting the inevitable and looking longingly back toward the years that are gone, or with calmness and faith, facing the future, serene in the knowledge that the power behind life’s currents is strong and good. I have determined that whether it is sad to grow old depends on ho we face it. It takes courage to live long successfully, and they are brave who grow old with smiling faces.
I believe Wilder had it right. We will have a much better life if we can maintain an attitude of faith and hope no matter what the circumstances. There is no question that there are periods of swimming in the tide of uncertainty and doubt. If only we can trust that just around the river bend there is an island of God’s providence and blessing to land upon.
St. Peter possessed a living faith which allowed him to flow with Godly currents in troubled times. Peter counsels in our scripture lesson that all of us who follow Jesus should have an answer for why we have hope in Christ. The key verse is 1 Peter 3:15:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
The world is filled with violence and ugliness in every corner. Folks are looking for solutions to the unending problems which perplex us. Christians must be prepared to give an answer for why they remain hopeful. We do the Gospel message a disservice if there is no explanation fort
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
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StoryShare, May 21, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald
Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing:
The stream of passing years is like a river with people being carried along in the current. Some are swept along, protesting, fighting all the way, trying to swim back up the stream, longing for the shores they have passed, clutching at anything to retard their progress, frightened by the onward rush of the strong current, and in danger of being overwhelmed. Others go with the current freely, trusting themselves to the buoyancy of the waters, knowing they will bear them up. And so with very little effort, they go floating safely along, gaining more courage and strength from their experience with waves. As each year comes, these waves upon the river bear us further along toward the ocean of eternity, either protesting the inevitable and looking longingly back toward the years that are gone, or with calmness and faith, facing the future, serene in the knowledge that the power behind life’s currents is strong and good. I have determined that whether it is sad to grow old depends on ho we face it. It takes courage to live long successfully, and they are brave who grow old with smiling faces.
I believe Wilder had it right. We will have a much better life if we can maintain an attitude of faith and hope no matter what the circumstances. There is no question that there are periods of swimming in the tide of uncertainty and doubt. If only we can trust that just around the river bend there is an island of God’s providence and blessing to land upon.
St. Peter possessed a living faith which allowed him to flow with Godly currents in troubled times. Peter counsels in our scripture lesson that all of us who follow Jesus should have an answer for why we have hope in Christ. The key verse is 1 Peter 3:15:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
The world is filled with violence and ugliness in every corner. Folks are looking for solutions to the unending problems which perplex us. Christians must be prepared to give an answer for why they remain hopeful. We do the Gospel message a disservice if there is no explanation fort
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, May 21, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
