| Where is Your Hope? |
June 7, 2008
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Where is your hope? Some of us are pretty. Others are pretty stong. A few people have more money then they know what to do with. Some have more talent and others are a little more kind. What will help us most in life? Where is your hope for today and for tomorrow?
We all face hard times in life. Maybe you are going through something hard right now. Students are currently going through exams that could shape the rest of their lives. Your family might not be as wonderful as people think it is. You might be doing something that you hate doing, but you just can’t seem to stop. Maybe there is someone close to you who is hurt, or sick, or who has just passed away. What can we do in situations like these? Can we find the strength to carry on from somewhere deep within ourself? Can we turn to our friends or to our family to carry us through every situation? Who can you turn to when everyone you know isn’t big enough to help? Where is your hope?
People started coming into Festival Hall as soon as they were allowed. The seats started filling up with people expecting good music, dramas, and input about living. I think people were wondering how last event’s skit was going to finish. The anticipation wasn’t quenched immediately. First the drama team gave us a funny skit about a very contagious man. Watch it and many other skits, on our main page: www.uturnpembroke.com.
The band started the night slow, but with building energy. A few songs in, the crowd was jumping to the now familiar song, Blessed Be Your Name. There were still new songs: Kutless’s “All Alone”, and Gary Driskell’s “Another Time Another Place” that showed that hope is real and possible through Jesus.
Chris had a real treat to give away: a t-shirt, donated from Pembroke's own The Master's Way, and autographed by the members of Casting Crowns! But the shirt would only go to a real Casting Crowns fan. Some came prepared and ready to answer Chris’s tough trivia. After a few close rounds, the winner walked away with her very own, autographed shirt.
In the second skit, we saw what it was like to have hope for today. Because of Jesus, all of the rebellious things we’ve done have been forgiven. We can leave the trap, the cage of rebellion and live this life the way we were created to live! But does that mean that this live is going to be easy? Jesus said that He came so we would have life and have it to the full. But the people who followed him have been hated and even killed for following Jesus. No, the hope that Jesus offers isn’t the hope of an easy life—a life we sometimes think we would have if we just had enough money or friends. He offers a life that is wonderful in God’s eyes: a life that is walked with Jesus. He also brings us hope that no one else can offer, hope for eternal life – a life where we will be made complete again, where the paralysed will run and dance with joy – a home in heaven!