Active hope

Many people feel worried about the future and believe things are getting worse in the world right now.
We cannot argue that there are many things today that we may or even should be concerned about.
The good news is that acknowledging these concerns is actually the first step to finding positive ways forward.

Since last Saturday, Marcus Ampe has given speeches in the Belgian ecclesiae of the Christadelphians, which will continue for a few weeks, about the circumstances from which we can leave, by going on a spiritual trek or pilgrimage together.

A new ecclesia has been founded in Anderlecht and to build an ecclesia it is, as it were, for members or visitors to go on a pilgrimage. To take part in such a trek one must be well prepared and bring the right luggage, all the ballast must be omitted.

Life offers many challenges that might come like overwhelming storms. Every day we are confronted with something that may bother us. Sometimes we have to face obstacles like crashing waves breaking over us. For many, their self-doubt and insecurities seem always to be their shadow. Preacher Marcus Ampe suggests stepping out of that shadow. He advises us to take a boat to calmer waters. At the same time, he warns us that we must be aware of the realities of life and death that may leave their mark. There will always be rocks below the surface of the water that we can run into.

With his words of advice and guidance to go on the path to a better life, he spreads hope for a better life in a better future. To some, it seems like we’re stuck with all the annoyances of this life. But Mr. Ampe is convinced that we can get rid of those annoying things in this world. By making the right choice, we can go out to a promised better world. However, for this, we must deliberately go in a certain direction, which many see as idiotic. But we should not care much about that, we should go straight ahead. And to this end we have an excellent guide, which also tells about a people who went straight through the opened Reed Sea, to be freed from slavery by the Egyptians.

Our modern passage through the ‘virtual Reed Sea’ – Red Sea -, is one we must go through together. United, we are also much stronger and can brave the fiercest storms. United we can also pull through the walls of water. If our faith is strong enough, the walls will stand.

Those who are weaker in faith must be drawn along by the stronger, and so we will be able to move on.

Brother Marcus also believes that we should not hide from the outside world and even less ‘we shouldn’t care about that world’. We must be very aware of what is going wrong and must also address others about it. We must be aware of the task that God has given man, namely to care for nature. Attracting us from nothing is an easy solution, but according to Brother Marcus it is not the right way. We must stand up for the weak, it can be said for the weak people, but also for the animals and plants whose voices are not heard by many and do not have their rights respected.

This world of injustice, much pain and poverty, full of desolation, cannot and will not remain. Those who believe in God and accept His Promises as true, are convinced that after the greatest coming horror, the Third World War will be the last. Not that there will then be a complete destruction of the earth. But when the End of Time comes, Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. After many millennia, the many expectations and searches will finally come to an end.

That in prospect and bearing in mind, is there enough nutrient to nourish our hopes and keep them active.

 

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Preceding

Shadows

If Doubt

On the Affirmation of Scripture

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Additional reading

1. Dark times looking like death is around the corner – but Light given to us
2. Two sides to every story
3. … a time to gather things together.”
4. Time for doing and gaining
5. Life’s challenges may not paralyse you
6. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
7. In defence of Doubt
8. Life’s challenges may not paralyse you
9. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace
10. Finish each day and be done with it
11. How shall the film of your life be?
12. Don’t wait to catch a healthy attitude
13. Walking the Walk or Stepping on the right Path
14. Ecclesia – Church – Minding your reference
15. January 6, 2024 official opening of the Anderlecht ecclesia
16. Beginning of a Pilgrimage
17. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #2 Words of God for life
18. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #3 A road on a global scale littered with obstacles
19. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #3 Availability, encounters and exposure to change
20. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #4 A good plan or guide to discover the Source of life
21. Necessary formalities for the trek
22. Fulfilling formalities for the trek
23. Choose the right name for your travel registration
24. A problem not worth praying about isn’t worth worrying about
25. Give your worries to God
26. Encouraging eachother