Resurrection (Reflections of Hope, 2 of 6)
In Wesley’s sermon #83 “On Patience”, he states:
“Whereas in that moment when we are justified freely by his grace, when we are accepted through the Beloved, we are born again, born from above, born of the Spirit. And there is as great a change wrought in our souls when we are born of the Spirit, as was wrought in our bodies when we are born of a woman. There is, in that hour, a general change from inward sinfulness, to inward holiness. The love of the creature is changed to the love of the Creator; the love of the world into the love of God.”
Hope arises out of our brokenness. The grace of God does not leave us broken but transforms us into a new creation! We cannot do this alone. We need God’s transforming power to work in us and with us. Our hearts, though broken by poverty in this world, can have hope that the brokenness of this world can be transformed into something beautiful. Death is not the end. Poverty is not a final state either. Our brokenness is not so much mended as it is transformed.
Romans 12:2 (NRSV): “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As we spend a few more days looking at hope, let us renew our minds by looking at it through new eyes. God does the transforming and is already at work! Let us look at the world and our call to love our neighbor through His eyes. Let us look at this photo and see hope arise through our brokenness.
Until Everyone Hears,