Hope in the Darkest of Days

On Monday morning, I woke with a very heavy heart. Another dark weekend of protests - pain, violence, anger and destruction fills this city - Hong Kong. The 13th weekend in a row. Once a very peaceful Hong Kong, now an unpredictable, boiling pot of emotions. Lashing out on the streets, in the MTR stations, in family homes, and especially in the hearts of the millions of people who call Hong Kong home.

On Tuesday evening, as I placed my head on my pillow to rest, in reality there was no rest. Instead, a restless and even heavier heart. Yet another life taken in South Africa. A beautiful, young girl, murdered, raped, lifeless body discarded, like a piece of inconvenient and unwanted trash. Another name on a long and growing list of womens' lives taken in a similar way.

How long, Oh Lord? How long?!

Two very different places I get to call home for different reasons. Both aching. Both mourning. Both anguishing. Anger, injustice, fear, disregard for life, turmoil, strife, despair.

I am overcome by an overwhelming sense of profound darkness. It seems the world is slipping deeper and deeper, day by day. 

What is the hope in these darkest of days? Where are you God?

On Wednesday morning I took time out of the usual busy rhythms for some space, solitude and centering for my soul. As I walked up the Peak, the Heavens opened and it showered down. No umbrella, no suitable shelter or protection from the drench. As I cried out to God for this beautiful City of Hong Kong, for beloved South Africa, the rain turned from an inconvenience into something surprisingly comforting. A reminder that God is sovereign and he see's it all - nothing goes unnoticed- no tear is in vain, no crime unpunished, no injustice left undealt with. 

And a boldness rises within me.

A reminder of truth.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He has overcome!

What we see today is not the final truth, nor the final reality. There is a day coming where we will cry no more tears, nor feel our hearts ache and anguish. Where we don’t need to apologise for our wrong doings or seek forgiveness. There is a day coming where we will feel no emptiness nor sorrow, no loneliness nor hopelessness. There is a day coming where there will be no sickness, tension, injustice, abuse, power struggles or anger. Where there will be no terror, manipulation, depression, anxiety or devastation. No desperation. No hopelessness. No darkness. 

There will only be the Glory of God. His perfection, lavish love and perfect peace.

Until that day comes, my cry is this...

"Oh Merciful and Just King. Oh Sovereign and Mighty Maker. Oh Holy and Compassionate Father. Oh Powerful and Perfect Saviour. Oh Patient and Gracious Protector. Oh Glorious and Mighty Maker. Oh Faithful and Steadfast Healer.  The One and the Only. The Beginning and the End...

My heart aches watching the scenes around me. Hopelessness, desperation, fear and anger ring loud from every corner. These are lives and these are people. This is mankind and your creation.

I don’t pretend to understand the complexity of the political situation in Hong Kong nor the depth of the weight carried by many at the front lines of the protests in Hong Kong. I don't claim to understand the tactics of the police, their defence strategies, nor governments policies and intricate hierarchical complexities. I don’t claim to know the deepest, never ending pain of losing a loved one to such violence in South Africa, nor do I live in the current reality of fearing for my own life or that of my children’s, on a daily basis.

But I do know this: despite what we see with these earthly eyes, you are on your throne! You conquered the grave! You are faithful through every storm and you will be faithful forevermore! What we need more than anything and more than ever, is YOU! As people, both in Hong Kong, Cape Town, and to the furthest corners of the earth, feel a sense of hopelessness, may you be there hope. For those who are weak, be there strength. For those who fear, bring peace. Only you are hope. Only you are peace.

May your glory reign in Cape Town as it is in Heaven and in Hong Kong as it is in Heaven, in these dark days.

Until the day where we get to meet you face to face, where your word is fulfilled and your glory revealed, may we not sleep or slumber, may we not hide in the shadows, but stand bold. Stand firm. Stand sure! In my little minuscule and tiny pin prick of a life on earth, may there be a flicker of light that draws those who are yet to know and taste of your goodness. Make my light shine brighter, bolder. Life is so fragile, so short and more than ever I want this little life of mine to count. With hope, I watch and pray, waiting for that coming day! The promise still stands. Great is your faithfulness. Jesus you’re still enough!" 

And the only question left unanswered is this: 

If you don't yet know Christ, what steadfast hope are you holding onto?