I was challenged recently when I heard a question being asked: "If you were to choose just one word to define what you are about, what you do and the reason why, what would that word be?

Well, that's a very searching question indeed!

You see, after a bit of thought I could think of several individual words and a good reason why each word was relevant.

I like the word 'encourage' for instance. This is after all initially what I seek to do for all people. I have a desire to encourage everyone to find in the Lord Jesus all that they could ever possibly need in life because He is indeed satisfying to all who delight in Him.

Then there is the word 'prepare'. Now this is a very sobering kind of word! We spend our lives preparing for something don't we? As children we are being prepared for school among many other things. Then school gives to us the opportunity to prepare for adulthood when we have to care for ourselves and others. We prepare for marriage, for childbirth, for retirement etc. But I wonder how many people prepare for their departure from this life! Are YOU prepared? I almost settled with this word because I suppose my calling is to prepare people to make sure they are prepared to meet with God; for when they know that all is well with their soul, then they are ready to really live :-)

But there was one word that shone a little brighter than these and other words that crossed my mind, and that was the word 'Hope'. What a wonderful word this is! Everyone is in need of a message of hope! Hope is what helps us through each day. Hope is what gives us something to look forward to. Hope shines through the chaos in this sad old world bringing order, peace and rest from fear and fretting.

What is hope? Why does this little word have so much meaning? Well, firstly I must stipulate that the hope I am referring to is the Bible's version of this lovely little word. It speaks of positive affirmation. This is not the 'fingers crossed', 'wishful thinking' kind of hope, which is the best the world can offer.

I was speaking to someone recently about being prepared for eternity and showing them God's way to make sure all is well with their soul when this person asked me: "Are you telling me you know these things for sure? Is it possible to really know?" I had the great joy and privilege of telling this person that it is possible to know, that's why I know. I'm not being presumptuous here but resting quietly upon the reputation and words of someone who cannot fail. My hope is based entirely upon the promises of God. This is all I have and this is all I need - and I might add at this point, this is all YOU need as well!

This world and its system is heading for chaos and a multitude of people feel like they are being dragged along and utterly helpless to do anything about it. Where do we go for stability? Where do we go for comfort? Who can we trust?

I am glad to say that there is a place and a Person to go to. He is fully reliable and worthy of being trusted with all your heart. He never changes, He's always the same. He is alive and ready to be the very centre of your life if you will let Him.

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As you navigate through this website you will observe that Hope is the word that shines through its overall message. There is a message of hope in every article, poem and in every song that Rest a While presets to you. This message will be the theme of everything that is going to be featured here in the future. So you have something to look forward to and something reliable to feast upon when you come to visit.

The only hope we have in the world is Christ the beloved Son of God. This lovely One has given a precious promise to everyone who has trusted in Him fully:

This promise is affectionately known by God's people as the 'blessed hope'. And what a hope this is; we are going to see the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. This could be your blessed hope as well.

Now I can define my responsibility and reason with just one word. My word is 'Hope', and I guess by now you know the reason why as well :-)

By the way, if somebody were to ask you what your 'one word' is, what would your answer be?

"We ... have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast ..." Hebrews 6: 18-19