Dame Deborah James coined the phrase ‘rebellious hope’ to highlight her determination to beat cancer and not let it control her life.
She urged others to “never give up” and “live life to the fullest – and check your poo.”
Sadly she died on June 28, but she filled others with hope and joy and left a legacy.
Where do you place your hope? In the government? The latest drug trial? Your pension pot?
What with everything going on in the world we need something to place our hope in – but we need something that is not finite or fallible.
We need to place our hope in something that is sure, steadfast, and reliable.
The hope that Christians express is not wishful thinking; it is found in a confident assurance and faith that God who created the world and loves us, is with us, and will meet our needs.
It is hope that gives our lives meaning.
My faith gives me hope because I know from experience all the ways in which God has been with me and provided for me and I am confident that this will continue to be the case.
Hope does not mean that bad things will not happen to us, but it does mean that we can face life’s challenges with joy and peace and can live our life to the fullest.
My hope in God is like a light, shining even in the darkest of times, helping me to keep going.
That hope is indeed a rebellious hope – fighting against the adversity that is all around.
The Revd Becky Medlicott is a curate at All Saints Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
