The Beacon of Hope was started on the 21st March 2020 just 10 days after the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Our aim was to bring a glimmer of light into the darkness and an encouragement into the fear. The first reflection said:
“We have good news that the world needs now more than ever. In the midst of worldwide panic and fear, our hope is in Jesus who is with us, a light in the darkness.”
10 days ago ‘Omicron’ was named as a Coronavirus variant of concern by the WHO. The panic and fear are creeping in again. News headlines are becoming more bleak and restrictions are being reintroduced in some places. The first Beacon of Hope reflection still stands:
“We have good news that the world needs now more than ever. In the midst of worldwide panic and fear, our hope is in Jesus who is with us, a light in the darkness.”
‘Hope’ in the English language has become a bit of a feeble word. We say things like: “I hope it doesn’t rain later”, “I hope you have a good weekend”, and “I hope that paint will wash out of your clothes”. It can sometimes be seen as a bit vague and not particularly powerful, but the Bible tells us we can put our hope in Jesus whose death and resurrection causes us to be made new and set apart to an ever-living hope (1 Peter 1:3 AMP).
The Beacon of Hope has been running weekly for over 20 months now because we have a HOPE that is worth shouting about. We have never run out of reflections, stories, and scripture to share and we are only really scratching the surface!! We love to hear where you have seen God, how you are sharing Jesus in your everyday life, and what it is that helps you live in the energetic hope that God promises us through Jesus!
Blessed, praised and adored be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for his purpose, to an ever-living and confident hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 AMP
Living Hope
Then through the darkness
Your loving kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hopeHallelujah praise the One who set me free
Phil Wickham © Bethel Music
Hallelujah death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ my living hope
Rachel is an Inspire Missioner based in Chesterfield, England. She has the privilege of editing the Beacon of Hope and co-ordinating prayer across the Movement, and she HOPES to hear from you soon!!
