Despair and wisdom
A reflection from Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis
November 15, 2023
By Rev Sharon Hollis, Uniting Church in Australia President
Several weeks ago the congregation I was attending sang a hymn by Brian Wren that spoke of some of the attributes of God including the line, ‘wiser than despair’.
Since that Sunday I’ve been reflecting on what it means to say God is wiser than despair and what it might it mean for me to seek the wisdom of God lest I fall into despair.
“God’s wisdom is made known to us in the cross of Christ, in the willingness of Jesus to suffer death to bear all that breaks the world..."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Despair is easy at the moment. Fire ravishes our country. Climate change is impacting low lying lands across the globe. Droughts are becoming more severe in many places leading to famine. War rages both in places noticed by the news and in places unnoticed except by those who live through it. Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ukraine and Palestine and Israel.
Daily we watch hospitals bombed, hostages held, babies dying for lack of basic care and homes crumbling.
Across the globe, conflict is causing division and preventing us from seeing the humanity in each other.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of God’s wisdom being foolish to the wisdom of the world. God’s wisdom is made known to us in the cross of Christ, in the willingness of Jesus to suffer death to bear all that breaks the world, to carry the injustice of the world, to overcome all that separates us from God and each other.
God’s wisdom is the wisdom of suffering solidarity, joining the life of Christ with all the victims of war, with broken humanity, with the scarred earth.
God’s wisdom is a love that endures alongside all who need hope, healing, peace and justice.
God’s wisdom is wiser than despair, because it is not overcome by despair. It works in the world, not by turning from places of despair, but rather by suffering for and with those most in need, inviting us to pray, hope and work for a world renewed.
In this time of deep despair, may you know God’s strange wisdom which is renewing the world in love.
More news
Church responds to Bondi attack
Church responds to Bondi attack As the Uniting Church, we express our grief and call for solidarity and peaceThe Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act. The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start…
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President Rev Suli
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President President Rev Charissa Suli offers this pastoral mesage and prayer following the tragic events at Bondi Beach written by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia This morning, we wake with heavy hearts following the tragic events at Bondi. As the Uniting Church in Australia,…
Walking the Path of Peace
Walking the Path of Peace When Emelia Haskey walks into the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok next month, she will carry with her the prayers, hopes and convictions of her Uniting Church community. Emelia has been selected to take part in the Fifth Global Peace Summit, an international gathering of around 400…
President's Christmas Message 2025
This Christmas season, President Rev Charissa Suli offers two messages for our community – because the incarnation meets us wherever we are. A Christmas Message of Light and Action In her main Christmas message, President Rev Charissa reminds us of the profound mystery at the heart of our faith: God chose to draw near, entering…
President's reflection: Threads of love across our outback
President’s Reflection: Threads of Love in Griffith and Across the Outback Rev Charissa Suli recently travelled to the NSW Riverina town of Griffith to see first-hand the launch of a new pilot progam for Frontier Services by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia In late November I travelled to NSW…
WCC Beijing 30+ Consultation held in Indonesia
WCC Beijing 30+ Consultation held in Indonesia The World Council of Churches’ Beijing 30+ Consultation marked 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action The World Council of Churches (WCC) concluded its Beijing 30+ Consultation on Sunday after three days of intensive dialogue, theological reflection and advocacy on gender justice. Held in Jakarta,…
Expressions of Interest: AFARC Committee Member
Expressions of Interest: Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk CommitteeExpression of Interest – Committee MemberAssembly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (AFARC)Uniting Church in Australia (National Assembly)Initial three-year term AFARC is seeking an experienced governance professional to join the Committee for an initial three-year term. AFARC provides independent oversight of finance, audit and risk for the National…
Update from the Theology, Formation & Leadership Commission
Commission meets in person for first time It was yet another milestone moment for the Commission for Theology, Formation & Leadership written by Rev Dr Cathie Lambert, Chair for the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership On 10–11 November the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership met for the first time in person in…