Harborough Churches Column: Many people are finding the world we live in to be increasingly uncertain

Economic uncertainty, social uncertainty, environmental uncertainty, and uncertainty with regards to peace and stability. Uncertainty can lead to fear, doubt and confusion. In the midst of uncertainty, the need for real hope cries out.

We see this reflected in the Easter story. For Jesus’ followers, they were hopeful because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and then suddenly the rug was pulled out from under them. Everything that they had invested their lives in, their hopes for the future, their beliefs were suddenly dashed on the rocks of despair as Jesus was betrayed by a friend, put on a mock trial and brutally executed. As Jesus died, so did their hope. In its place was left uncertainty. This uncertainty led to fear, doubt and confusion. Had they got it all wrong? Were their lives in danger? Had the last few years of their lives been a false investment? Was it all for nothing?

But in the midst of this despair hope sprung forth as Jesus rises from the dead. This very concept sounded like nonsense to them and they did not believe it until they saw Jesus face-to-face in the flesh, back from the dead. This changed everything. Even though the world they lived in remained a challenging one, they now had real hope, not based on some faint attempt at wish fulfilment, but real evidenced hope.

This sense of uncertainty, fear, doubt and confusion is one that many can relate to, of all faiths and none. This need of hope in the midst of uncertainty and challenging times is one that can strike a chord. Jesus’ message of building a world of love for one another; one that is founded on justice, mercy and grace; one that looks to oppose oppression, reconcile peoples, builds for meaningful peace, welcomes the marginalized as equals, challenges discrimination, and looks to alleviate suffering – this is something that can galvanise hope for people of all faiths and none. The importance that God places on this physical world that we live in, by raising Jesus physically from the dead, is one that rings out across our local community and the world, as people look to protect and preserve the beautiful planet that we call home and share with many creatures.

As with Jesus’ first followers, this outlook doesn’t mean that the times we live in are less challenging, but it does bring hope. Hope that we can strive in our own ways, as far as we are each able – individually and collectively – to make this world a better place for all who live in it.