Our Future and Our Hope
by Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton on 01/09/25
The prophetic book of Jeremiah was written for
the survivors of multiple invasions of Israel by Babylon. It is a book written
for a people who had lived through decades of trauma including the destruction
of their sacred Temple, the loss of political independence, the loss of their
land, and the death or trafficking of thousands of friends, family, and
neighbors.
It is no surprise that Jeremiah has chapter upon chapter of laments as the people sing and speak their profound losses over and over. It is no surprise that in the Christian ordering of Hebrew Scriptures, Jeremiah is immediately followed by the book of Lamentations.
We don’t read Jeremiah all that often in our liturgy, but most of us are familiar with the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope.”
This short statement of God’s active presence centers the laments of Jeremiah. The people can lament because God is present listening and after the laments God will act to bring about a new future. Even if they can’t see it now, God’s promise stands as a light on their horizon.
While this promise was made to ancient Israel, the God who made the promise is still a God who stands on the horizon of every dark night, bringing light where we believed there to have only been darkness.
And so, as the light returns in this near year, let us keep our eyes on the horizon - for God is still a God who wants for our welfare and the welfare of our communities. And as we begin our 125th year of congregational life together, we too can trust in the God who has not only walked with us through our past, but who is guaranteed to be present in our future as well.
That is a promise we can trust!
Blessings,
Pastor Amy