Reflection: Faith, Hope and Steadfast Love

by Naomi Bell, Presbytery Support Officer

Every morning for about 3 weeks now, a particular song has played on our local Christian radio station while I am driving my teenagers to school. It’s a song that I’d be unlikely to have chosen so frequently for my own listening but has now become a bit of a favourite (and earnt me some extra credit with my teen daughter when I’ve joined her in loudly singing along).

The song, Faith, Hope, Love by We Are Messengers has an energetic tune and simple repetitive lyrics. Making it easy to remember. Too easy in fact. If you don’t enjoy having a song stuck playing on repeat in your mind all day long – consider yourself pre-warned!

So, as I reflected this week on the meaning of God’s steadfast love and particularly what it means to me, I had this song accompanying my thoughts.

My first thought was that steadfast love is more than an emotion or feelings.

Steadfast love is not passive but is active. We experience God’s steadfast love through God’s faithfulness in action. Psalm 33:5 “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” offers us a glimpse of God’s character as it highlights God’s deep love for justice and righteousness.

The psalmist continues by describing the earth as “filled with God's goodness, His unfailing love”. Indicating that God’s love and mercy are present everywhere, serving as a reminder of God’s presence and care for humanity.

From the beginning, the Creator God has worked to bring chaos into order, and God’s ongoing mission to reconcile all the world to himself (which we are all invited to participate in) continues this work still today.

Jesus demonstrated throughout his life and ministry, how important it is to set things right, according to God’s will - not the world’s. Jesus chose the unexpected and called them to learn directly from Him, he lovingly included the outcasts and those society shunned, he showed us how to bring this world into order through loving others with a steadfast love. A love that is grounded in justice and righteousness.

When we choose to show mercy instead of revenge or to speak out against injustice, when we choose actions that restore lives damaged by injustice or behave in ways that show all are welcome here, then we show those around us a glimpse of God’s steadfast love, that never fails. We humans are made in God’s image or likeness, and we too share the desire to put things in order (though, I reckon some of us more than others!).

And it’s not always easy to choose mercy, or restoration, or belonging. Some situations or circumstances can make it very difficult for us. Plus, there are times when we are just too tired and worn out, or too busy to choose justice and righteousness.

For me this week, it seemed that the song stuck playing on repeat in my mind every day, was in fact teaching me a lesson. “These three things remain; Faith, Hope, Love……”

Faith filled actions are evidence of God’s presence in our lives, bringing Hope to a hurting and often chaotic world, thus demonstrating God’s steadfast Love is unfailing.