Patience remains important in week of renewed hope, says Sheffield minister

Hope was given a boost this week…A new president-elect of the USA changed the tone of leadership with a message of unity for a nation and friendship to the world and political hope was lifted.
Joe Biden has been named US President-elect after beating incumbent Donald Trump in the US presidential election - although Mr Trump has vowed to challenge the result in courtJoe Biden has been named US President-elect after beating incumbent Donald Trump in the US presidential election - although Mr Trump has vowed to challenge the result in court
Joe Biden has been named US President-elect after beating incumbent Donald Trump in the US presidential election - although Mr Trump has vowed to challenge the result in court

And then the longed for news came when we heard about the success of a vaccine for Coivd-19 and the possibility that it could be available from the beginning of December.

The health correspondent on the news was smiling all week, the financial markets rocketed.

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The hopes of the world were lifted that we can beat this virus.

The Reverend Jonathan HaighThe Reverend Jonathan Haigh
The Reverend Jonathan Haigh

But with the message of hope, comes the need to be patient.

The previous president is being slow in conceding defeat, the new administration has to wait in the wings before starting in earnest to prepare to govern.

And the message of cautious optimism and patience soon followed the news of a vaccine.

This is a very good lesson for life.

If we have true hope, it gives us the boost that we need to be patient even when we go through the hardest trials in life.

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Hope lifts our horizon to know that the present darkness will pass away and a new dawn will come.

Those who have faith in God know this to be true.

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119vs114.

There are so many places in the Bible that remind us that our hope in God is not in vain.

Hope in God reminds us that we are not on our own when we deal will the experiences of life that cause hopelessness.

We are reminded that God values us.

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“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:31.

And when we put our trust in God, we find hope that gives us the capacity to be patient even in our present troubles.

This week, I have been given an energy boost by the fresh hope in the news.

I hope that you have too.

Now let’s remain patient that the promise of a new dawn is not in vain.

The Reverend Jonathan Haigh is a minister at Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Sheffield city centre, and Greenhill Methodist Church – see greenhillmethodistchurch.com

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