This post is Day 8 in a series of studies about “Hope”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Hope – Day 8

John was travelling when he wrote this letter, and was anticipating being back with his favourite church group. Many of us who have travelled much can sympathise with these feelings. Visiting other places is interesting, and can be exciting, but there is nothing like getting back to where you belong.

2 John 1:12

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

The Thought

Jesus’s disciple John wrote the gospel that bears his name, and then three very short letters which appear near the end of our Bibles. This letter is written to the lady chosen by God and to her children (2 John 1:1). Most commentaries agree that this “lady” was not an actual person but a church group, and that her “children” were the people who attended those meetings. If you have ever been responsible for a home group or home church, you will understand John’s sentiments here.

Well run small groups and house churches become as family for the leaders and for many of the participants. In a good family, the members are happy together, have confidence in the others, and find the home a normal place to share their lives, their hopes and fears for the future as well as the disappointments of the past. In a good family, or a good church or home group, we find hope, healing and acceptance, help and encouragement.

John was travelling when he wrote this letter, and was anticipating being back with his favourite church group. Many of us who have travelled much can sympathise with these feelings. Visiting other places is interesting, and can be exciting, but there is nothing like getting back to where you belong, and finding that all is going well.

Action

Think and pray today about people you haven’t seen for a while, no matter what the reason for the separation.

Imagine for a moment the normal life just a few decades ago, with no internet, no telephone, and when letters could take a while to get to their destination. Who would you have been hoping to see, talk to, or hear about?

Maybe writing a letter or message to that person is a good idea.

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