When I was a child, for several years, we spent our family summer holidays at Hope Cove in South Devon. Recently we have returned on several occasions and old loves and fascinations for a delightful village and coastline have been reawakened. The signpost to the Hope Cove car parking arrangements is a wonderful summary of a perfectly balanced life.
The letter of Jude, hidden after the outpourings of the other Apostles and before the Revelation in our arrangement of Scripture, is a little gem. I have come back to it so often over the years because it says so much in a few words.
The letter begins:
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
This tells us who Jude is, describes his recipients and wishes them well.
The description will fit all those who have come to God and found the love of an ideal, perfect parent and been able to share all sorts of thoughts and emotions with Jesus Christ who behaves, simultaneously as an ideal, perfect sibling who seems to have limitless capabilities and makes us feel quite comfortable and peaceful.
I hope that you are reading this can relate to that in some way. If you can, you may well understand what it means to be inwardly hopeful that all is well. Inwardly hopeful people exude hope, outer hope, just by being who they are in their relationship with God.
Unlike the parking arrangements in Hope Cove, inner and outer hope are not to be found in different places but they all centre on the one invitation from God to come into the embrace of his love which is merciful and instils peace.
A Prayer
Loving Father, sometimes I wrestle with life and its pressures. Peace seems unachievable. When I tussle and wrestle, I pray that you will grant me the gift of your Holy Spirit to bring calm and let me remember again that I am always welcome in the warm and certain embrace of your love. Lord Jesus Christ, walk with me and never leave me, whatever I must do today, for your own love’s sake.
Amen.