Hi all, welcome to week 52 and Happy Christmas Eve! When I decided to send these stories out at the beginning of the year, I picked Tuesday as the day to send them out on quite by chance.
It was about halfway through the year that I realised there are fifty-three Tuesdays in December, not fifty-two! However, I have decided to stick with the fifty-two stories. Next week I will be sending out an email with a reflection on 2024 and the plan for next year (it feels appropriate, it being New Year’s Eve!). 2025 will have a slightly different outlook but I hope you will stick with Hope Hour as we keep the conversation about faith going.
Today, I have decided to share something with you all that happened to me a few weeks back. As we look towards Christmas, may we remember that it is All About Love.
A few weeks back, I went to a Just Love workshop. Just Love is a project that equips "students and graduates to pursue justice in the way of Jesus with their whole lives". The workshop was a useful exercise and left me with some things to consider.
I found myself with some time to spare after the workshop. I decided to walk into Oxford city centre, simply following my feet. I took a moment to ask God to guide my feet on this walk. It is not something that I often do but I enjoyed the experiment of trying to tune in, going left when I felt inspired to or ignoring turns that I would have otherwise gone down.
I found myself in the Covered Market. There is a book shop and cafe there called, “Gulp Fiction”. Inside, I pondered the shelves before finding myself drawn to a book with a bright red cover. As I read the title, the book literally jumped off the shelf at me. I hadn’t even touched the shelf! I failed to catch the book before it hit the ground. “Don’t worry” the staff joked with me, “that’s just our ghost”. I wondered if perhaps it was more of a holy ghost.
It seemed that I was being led to this book... My meanderings had brought me to the shop. The cover had drawn me to that section. Once it threw itself at me, I knew I was going to buy it. The title had intrigued me even before it flew off the shelf: “All About Love” by Bell Hooks.
I knew nothing about the book or the author before I bought it. I sat down to read it and I was immediately hooked (pun intended). Cappuccino in hand, I blazed through the first chapter. The title of the second chapter made me pause mid-sip. What was it about? Justice.
“There can be no love without justice.”
Bell Hooks, All About Love.
It does not feel like a coincidence that I was reading these words shortly after having attended a workshop all about Just Love.
I feel like this story would be more satisfactory if I could tell you that I have since had some big, specific, revelation over why this theme is recurring at the moment. Yet, I feel like I am still teetering on the edge of fully understanding. We often want answers now. I am practicing being ok with waiting along the journey. God is highlighting how love and justice go hand in hand and I am trusting that, at some point, I will know why. In the meantime, I will continue to push on doors, ask questions, and enjoy witnessing God at work in me.
Perhaps, what this story lacks in resolution it will make up for by building anticipation. One day I will be able to share with you all exactly where God was leading me, and you all will have been witnesses to the journey too.
Thank you all so much for reading this story about God connecting with his people. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Until next time,
Wow that's amazing! Will be interested to see what follows!!