Starting anything new always fills us with a mix of trepidation and excitement. As Jenny and I took over the reins of leading at the Vine, we certainly felt both. We have been in the village since 2003 and have been part of the leadership team of the Vine Church for a number of years. So, why is it, that all of a sudden, I was filled with those, oh so natural thoughts, of ‘what if I can’t do it, what if it all goes wrong, what if nobody likes me’?
As we approach the Christmas season, I am pretty sure similar ‘what if…’ thoughts were going through the minds of a young pregnant girl and her husband to be as they travelled to Bethlehem.
“What if the Journey is too much?”
“What if I’m a rubbish dad?”
“What if Joseph stops loving me, he knows this is not his baby?”
But behind the concerns and worries, there was hope, both the natural hope of what a new phase of life and a new baby brings but also the supernatural hope (or faith) that Mary had because of the promise from God about the baby she bore.
After all, she was carrying a very special child – one who would be called, as it says in Isaiah: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I tend to talk about faith and hope as related terms - faith is my hope and Gods certainty. I have many hopes for my time at the Vine. Two are simple, I hope to be able to meet and chat with many people about my hopes and I hope not to make too many mistakes on the way. Though I also have faith that God can do amazing things despite my mistakes (Romans 8:28).
Hope is a powerful emotion, one that overcomes loss, loneliness, fear and uncertainty. It is more powerful than happiness and as one quote puts it “for without hope, what do any of us have?”
So, as we approach Christmas, Jenny and I, and all from the Vine would like to wish you a happy Christmas and I pray for hope in all our lives as we start the new adventure that is 2019.