E P O H

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Paul has written this letter to those whom he did not know, probably had never met. It is a letter about faith – believing in hope. It is explaining to those who may be struggling with life, that there is a future. It speaks of peace, rest assured that you will be listened to, cared for, be given dignity, you have worth  – with nothing to prove.

When people enter the Job Club they are greeted with a smile, by name, and are given agency over what next steps are needed. It isn’t about finding instant riches or power but increasing confidence in the one God lovingly made.

Circumstances

It is taking the circumstances of life, which for some are particularly harsh, and turning that around. Paul wrote that we boast not I boast. It is celebrating what skills we currently possess. It is about us all journeying with others, to raise the common understanding of life, to loving our neighbour, whoever they are. This is all about kingdom, being as one. 

O

We don’t justify the suffering of others but listen, seek to understand and be with them. Whether that is helping them to apply for Universal Credit, applying for a job with the associated covering letter and curriculum vitae or CV, or navigating through security procedures – it is walking alongside, to help, so that others flourish.

Keep going

Paul talks of peace, that’s not a life free from suffering, far from it. As Peter walked on the water, the water wasn’t calm the water was very choppy – what was calm was Peter…until he took his eyes off Jesus. But as we walk in that dark valley at times, this leads us to increased inner strength, of endurance 

E

That’s that capability to go a little bit further, to apply for the next job when previously disappointment reigned. It is the fuel which can get us further along our journey.

Inner determination

From this we may see a change in us, or character 

P

our personality. It is a lesson in how we tick, what really drives us. Is it our love from God, imploring us to love all? Is it that inner strength to get out of bed and seek that successful job application?

What is it all about?

Finally all of this leads to 

H

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hope. We have that opportunity to beacons of hope, if we choose: it might take time out endurance, but that change how we see ourselves, and our outlook will then change. Those beacons of hope are those who started, maintained and kept the Job Club going throughout those 8 years. Those beacons of hope are  those who came in, some of whom found employment, many of whom were successful and more encourage those to do the same. And that’s us all, regardless of how the cards of life have been dealt, of loving all others. This job Club had been a beacon of hope for others. 

And just as this Job Club comes to a close, that hope continues, as we consider taking a different path but still serving our community.

Will you join in being a beacon of hope on this new path, wherever you live?


A video depicting this message is here, one of the series of 73 second videos produced each Saturday about the Good News: https://youtu.be/DtjI0jHRCRE

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