What's Next?

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 ESV).

 

In a conversation recently with my youngest son, Aaron, we were talking about what else cold possible happen in this year. We began the year with some personal challenges. My oldest brother’s death and Mary’s emergency surgery were certainly no easy circumstances to deal with; however, little did we know those two things would be the easiest of the subsequent crises. I was teasing half-heartedly when I listed the “plagues.” I mentioned Covid-19, “murder” hornets (somehow we skipped those), riots and protests, the Sahara dust storm, political and economic upheaval, and the coming horde of locusts! I ended the conversation with, “Well, that’s six down and only four more to go!” Somehow that did not elicit a laugh!

 

These are very unusual times. There have been others in history, though this time is our time. It is easy to ask “What’s next?” It is easy to lose hope. And, as our reading enjoins us to “rejoice in hope” I must confess there are times when I miserably fail. Perhaps that’s where you are today. I would encourage you to understand the root of genuine hope. Christian hope is not a vague wish. Christian hope is a sure confidence that we will receive what God has promised us.

 

The Apostle Paul encourages the Roman Christians to understand that a community that lives with this sure, confident hope can take risks, offering hospitality to people whom society rejects. They can stand strong and confident with people who are struggling. They can foster hope in people who are feeling hopeless. This produces genuine love. This gives us reason to rejoice. Because God keeps his ­prom­ises, we can live with joyful hope!