Don’t give up hope

A student found a subject particularly difficult and thought he had no chance of passing the end-of-year examination. He considered it wiser not to waste time on that subject but to put everything into the others. When he walked into the examination room he was handed a very easy paper that he could have passed easily if he had kept on working steadily. He had given up hope too soon.

Paul pleaded with the Christians at Colossae not to give up the hope that they received when they first believe in Jesus. It was the hope that they would become an integral part of the family of God and that they would become one with Christ in resurrection after death. This hope made sense of life for them.

It empowered them to live strong and courageous lives. It enabled them to endure hostility and persecution. It puts a song on their lips and a confidence in their step. It furthermore welded them into the international community of Christian believers known as the church. It gave them a dignity they never had before, and brought a love into their hearts. You too must never give up the hope that God has given you. However difficult life may become, however dark the political scene, however insecure the economic situation, however lonely, rejected, dispirited and miserable you may at times feel, you still have God in whom to put your hope. Whatever else you do, never stop hoping (Colossians 1:23).

Bro David Yelulani (Banket, Zimbabwe)