Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

We’re in the know

Ephesians 1v9 “He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure.” (NIV)

My family will tell you that I not the best at following the plotline, and so, my “Marvel-fan-daughter” will generally guide me through the plot of Marvel films!! I am sure you will have experienced a time when you came to discover something, only to find that everyone else seems to have known about it first. It feels good to be in the know, and to understand what is going on.

Many in this world do not understand what is ultimately going on. As a result they are scraping round in the dark, trying various routes, and worrying about the many tribulations this world affords.

One of the key blessings that God gives us in Jesus is knowledge; knowledge of what is going on – at least at the top level. You have been chosen to be in on the mystery! It is a mystery to the world at large because it can only be known by God’s revelation, but we who know God are also told his will.

What is his will? It is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (1v10). There are three key things to consider here: firstly, we are heading towards unity under one head which implies peace and harmony; secondly, this unity will include a oneness between heaven and earth; and thirdly, the supreme ruler over all things will be Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the Victor over Evil. Many are seeking to achieve this unity and peace by human effort, but God is ultimately going to bring it about through Jesus. This is fantastic news in world of uncertainty and challenge. There’s an old Sunday school song, “With Christ in the boat you can smile at the storm.” The storms come, and the storms don’t always disappear as quickly as we would like, but with Christ we can sing another older hymn:

“I know who holds the future, And I know he holds my hand;
With God things don’t just happen ev’rything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, Give to Him my all!”

With love and blessing,

Roland