Lenten Sermon Series: Songs of Lent
Authentic Hope
Reflections
Henri Nouwen wrote, “Many people suffer because of the false supposition on which they have based their lives. That supposition is that there should be no fear or loneliness, no confusion or doubt. But these sufferings can only be dealt with creatively when they are understood as wounds integral to our human condition. Therefore ministry is a very confronting service. It does no allow people to live with illusions of immortality and wholeness. It keeps reminding others that they are mortal and broken, but also that with the recognition of this condition, liberation starts.” George MacDonald put it with epigrammatic force when he wrote, “The Song of God suffered unto the death, not that we might no suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.”
— Eugene Peterson, from
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
- Authentic Hope rooted in:
- Honesty and reality (v.1-2)
- God’s commitment in your life (v.3-4)
- Waiting in confidence (result of continuous grace) vs. waiting in frantic (leads to bad decisions) (v.5-6)
- Hope in God, not anything else (v.7-8)
