The Bishop writes.....A MORE ENDURING HOPE

My dear People of God ,

South Africans hoped for good news at the Cricket World Cup and these hopes were shattered in a cruel twist of fortune.

Likewise, though the hopes for good news at the Rugby World Cup were not as high, anticipation began to rise only to be dashed again. Sport and life in general have a way of bringing us crashing down and it is for that reason that we do need a more enduring hope and a less fragile crown than the world cup success.

Of course, the darkness which Isaiah speaks of when he refers to the "darkness which covers the earth and the thick darkness over the people" (Isaiah 60:2) is much more real and pervasive than that which invades us when things go wrong on the sports field. While I guess that the way out of the sport induced darkness is to win again, the way out of the darkness referred to by Isaiah is only through a Saviour. So praise God that as we look forward to Christmas we can be lifted up by the Good News expressed by Isaiah when he says :Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you" (Isaiah 60:1).

That is real good news because the glory of the Lord rising upon us has indeed been fulfilled in the coming of our Lord Jesus among us as a babe in Bethlehem and as our crucified and exalted Lord. The true light which dispels all the darkness and which lifts all the gloom has indeed come into the world and it is to that Good News that we are pointed again this Christmas time.

I recently visited a friend of long standing, whose two brothers were murdered in the Transkei some years ago. Those who committed this horrific crime were subsequently arrested, tried and found guilty of murder, then, as a result of the TRC amnesty hearings, were granted amnesty for the double murder. To live through such pain and grief puts other losses into perspective and is a stark reminder of the deep and real suffering of many in our country . Yet what did I find when I visited my friend? I found a deeply composed and joyful Christian lady who bore no bitterness or resentment. She had found in Christ the true light that dispels the darkness, the peace in Christ that is way beyond human understanding and the assurance in Christ that has given her hope for the future. What a joy and privilege to meet such people. What an inspiration they are.

So my brothers and sisters, as Christmas approaches, will you indeed arise, shine, for the glory of the Lord rises upon you and because of Jesus there is hope for you.

With every blessing,

Yours in Christ, Eric.

(Extract from Indaba - Dec 1999)
frankies@iafrica.com
posted 17 January 2000

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