CWRC Anthology

THERE'S STILL HOPE

               
© 2022.By Faith Ijiga.

Brought  to you by Christian Writers and Readers Club.

FAITH BIBLE COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY. 

The seventy -two year old priest and professor of early Christianity who was nearing retirement  stood in front of his class of forty missionary students,-all boys,-as he gave them another lesson on theology.

The young students, who were between the ages of eighteen to twenty-one all loved and revered their professor. The priest's name was Emmanuel Goodwin but his students always called him father Emmanuel. 

"Alright, students, I know you are ready for Bible History 101, but today, I want us to do something out of the norm."

As father Emmanuel spoke, the students looked back at him with curiosity written all over their faces. Each time father Emanuel announced that he would be doing something out of the norm, just prepare yourself because that thing was definitely going to be interesting.  

When father Emmanuel realized that he had gotten his students undivided attention, he resumed talking.

"What did the Bible say is the meaning of faith?"

All hands went up, apparently the students knew the answer and were eager to provide it to the good professor. 

"Yes, let's hear from you, Alfred," Father Emmanuel said, pointing towards a student who was sitting at the left-hand side of the third roll. 

"Thank you, father," Alfred said with a smile, rising up from his seat. 

The lanky and funny looking student, Alfred Fru,-a Cameroonian who had come to Nigeria for studies,-cleared his throat, much to the amusement of his fellow students and began saying his answer with flourish.

"The Bible gives us several definitions of faith but I think one of the basics is where the Bible tells us that Faith is evidence of things hoped for and substance of things not seen." Alfred was excited about the look of satisfaction on the face of his professor after giving his answer. He wished his twin sister, Aquila, was there with him right now, he would have loved to see her face, she used to boast a lot about knowing the Bible more than him. Well, he and Aquila would see about that when he returned to Cameroon. 

"Correct... And where is it located in the Bible?"

The whole class shouted out the answer before Alfred could get the chance to continue regaling the revered father Emmanuel.

"Hebrews 11:1"...

"Now, I believe that we all agree that faith is the evidence of things hoped for and substance of things not seen, yes?"

The students replied affirmatively. 

"Today, I would like us to talk about hope, then in our next class, we shall be talking about evidence of things not seen.".

The students opened their notes which were already on top of their desks and uncapped their pens as they got ready to jot down important points. 

"My dear students, the dictionary has given us several definitions of Hope, but I would like to give you my own personal definition, belief and thoughts on Hope. I see hope as an act of not giving up. I see hope as an act of going for it even when it is not working. I see hope as an act of looking forward to a brighter future even when the present is bleak."

The students watched him in silence as he spoke but he could read everything in their eyes that their mouths were not telling him. Indeed the present was bleak for these lads. It was obvious that every life situation his students were individually passing through was offering little hope for their future.