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Hope -
In his brilliant article written exclusively for this website, John Andrews explores some of the characteristics of hope, peppered with inspirational anecdotes and practical examples.
Pastor John Andrews MA, PhD is a well-
He’s the senior pastor of Rotherham New Life Christian Centre in Yorkshire, England, senior lecturer at Mattersey Bible College and a member of the national leadership team of the Assemblies of God, Britain.
For more information on John’s publications, click onto www.esbresources.co.uk
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As Eric Moussambani finished his 100-
Eric was a wildcard entry in the race, part of a programme that encourages the sport in countries where swimming is not traditionally practiced. Remarkably, he had only taken swimming up seriously six months before, and the Olympics were the first time he had swam in a 50 metre pool. Eric confessed afterwards that ‘the last 15 metres were very difficult’’ but helped by a cheering crowd he completed what he had started. When he could have quit or even should have quit, he did not. For such an attitude he won the crowd if not the gold.
Hope says, ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish’
My greatest heroes tend to be people who finished well. They are those who could or should have given up, but who somehow kept going and by the end of their lives, produced something of worth and substance. The bold, beautiful and brilliant may get the limelight, but the finishers get the glory. Have a look at the marriages you admire the most, and they’ve probably been at it a while. Check out the large and influential churches in Britain and around the world, and the leader has probably been there a while.
I am inspired and challenged by the example of the Apostle Paul when he said,
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
Later when writing from a prison cell having been abandoned by ‘friends’ and opposed by the forces of darkness his words are still triumphant and his tone is hopeful.
“I have fought, struggled and competed for the prize, I have finished, completed, executed, concluded and discharged my duty and I have kept, guarded from loss or injury, ensured it was the centre of my focus, my faith.”
It was no accident that Paul made it to the end. He finished because he wanted to, because he was determined to. Paul lived until he died.
Hope says, ‘Never give up’
Winston Churchill stands out in the twentieth century as a massively influential
figure both in Britain and the world. As I read the biography Churchill, written
by Roy Jenkins, I was struck by two things. The first was that Churchill had an
overwhelming sense of destiny regarding his life. He believed he was meant to be
significant and that he would one day succeed. He refused to be ‘imprisoned by the
circumstances of his birth. His devotion to his career and his conviction that he
was a man of destiny were far stronger than any class or tribal loyalty.’ The second
was his perseverance. Written off many times, Churchill kept going and confounded
his opponents and critics on more than one occasion. His ability to bounce back
and press on is inspirational and indeed it was this bull-
Both the Apostle Paul and Churchill knew something about finishing, so what can we learn from these great men?
Hope sees the BIG PICTURE not the blip.
Devastated by enemy bombing, Churchill stood before the people of Hull on 7th November 1941, reminding them that each test and challenge could be turned to good. ‘We kept on doing our best, we kept on improving. We profited by our mistakes and our experiences. We turned misfortune to good account.’ Churchill did not glibly point them to a brighter tomorrow but to an understanding that the ability to see the big picture could lift their eyes above the immediate pain, disappointment and challenge and thus transform their approach to that day and the days to come.
Paul too was not motivated by the moment and he did not allow himself to be limited by the highs or lows of any particular day. Speaking in defence of his life and ministry he declared, “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” (Acts 26:19)
It was this that kept the great man going. When abandoned, misunderstood, stoned, harassed and criticised, it was the fact that his eyes were fixed not on the blip but on the big picture.
Hope understands that the CAUSE is greater than the cost.
Speaking to the nation via a broadcast from London on 9th February 1941, Churchill
said these words: ‘We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither
the sudden shock of battle nor the long-
Paul knew something of the cost of the cause for which he lived. “But whatever was
to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-
Hope never lets opposition cloud OPPORTUNITY.
As London was being bombed to the ground in 1941, Churchill spoke these words: ‘Lift up your hearts. All will come right. Out of the depths of sorrow and sacrifice will be born again the glory of mankind.’ As I sit in the comfort of modern Britain, it is hard to imagine a day when bombs were dropping from the sky and the threat of invasion was a very real possibility. Yet that was the context when Churchill spoke these words. Through them he sought to inspire his government and the nation to see beyond the opposition and see the opportunity.
In moments of great opposition, Paul too was able to see opportunity. When facing trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or death, he confidently proclaimed:
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I
am convinced that… nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God that
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-
Hope knows that STANDING TOGETHER is better than standing alone.
It is remarkable that when addressing the nation at war, Churchill rarely used the word ‘I’ when referring to the tasks ahead. He speaks of ‘us’, ‘our’, ‘we.’ He knew the power of the together. Speaking to America via a broadcast on 16th June 1941, he said, ‘United, we can save and guide the world.’ Later that same year addressing the Canadian people he said, ‘We have suffered together and we shall conquer together.’ He knew victory could not be achieved by standing alone.
Many get the impression that Paul was a loner, out in the wilds of the Gentile world reaching people for Jesus. However, a glance at the text reveals exactly the opposite. Paul worked in team with people like Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke and Titus to name but a few. He understood that if the dream was to move from the drawing board to reality, he could not do it alone. Hope empowers us to believe in others and inspires others to believe in us.
As the war was drawing to a fierce and bloody conclusion, Churchill spoke these powerful
and almost prophetic words: ‘It is always in the last lap that races are either gained
or lost. The effort must be forthcoming. This is no moment to slacken.’ You heard
him. Don’t slacken – FINISH!! One day you and I will die, but hope urges us to
make a courageous and uncompromising determination that we live well until that moment.
I dare you -
See you at the finish line.
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