In their essays entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: Are there challenges among the people?” young writers explore what it means to journey through life with faith and courage. Through their eyes, we see the hopes, struggles, and dreams that shape our communities, and the ways people rise above difficulties while holding on to hope and love. BETTY AMUKPO puts forward their essays. Excerpts:
‘One major challenge among people is division’
Yes. One major challenge among people is division caused by pride, selfishness, and lack of love. The Bible highlights how discord can tear communities apart. James 4:1asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” This inner conflict leads to envy, hate, and broken relationships. Galatians 5:15 warns, “If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.” Another challenge is the lack of forgiveness. Matthew 6:14- 15 teaches that without forgiving others, we block our own forgiveness. Lastly, people struggle with loving others unconditionally. Yet, 1 John 4:20 states, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” These verses remind us that unity, humility, and love are essential to overcoming our struggles.
• Sobayo Dorcas
‘We encounter several obstacles, such as poverty, fear, and weakening faith’
As pilgrims of hope, we encounter several obstacles, such as poverty, fear, and weakening faith, but these hardships reinforce our reliance on God. During each struggle, we recall that our hope in Christ empowers us to continue onward. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8.
• Blossom Akalezi
‘Yes, challenges such as divisions, poverty, and lack of faith’
Yes, there are challenges among the people, such as divisions, poverty, and lack of faith. Yet, as Pilgrims of Hope, we are called to unity and perseverance. The Bible reminds us, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
• Josephine Agbo
‘Yes, challenges like war, poverty, mental illness and a general loss of hope’
Yes, challenges exist among the people like global and social issues, internal struggles, confusion and loss of faith. Challenges exist among the people when the world faces issues like war, poverty, mental illness and a general loss of hope. Hope means believing and standing in places of delay and longing, walking with others who are also waiting. 1 Peter 1:3 praises God for His mercy which grants believers a “new birth” into a “living hope.”
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Challenges as injustice, violence, environmental destruction, modern slavery, crisis of faith’
Yes, in the context of the “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee Year 2025, people face challenges such as poverty, injustice, violence, environmental destruction, food, poverty, modern slavery, managing debt, and a crisis of faith in some parts of the world. The Jubilee Year aims to address these issues by encouraging people to become “tangible signs of hope” and take action through prayer, welcoming the stranger, caring for the earth, and acting with compassion to alleviate suffering. Our country is not an exception as people are compelled to migrate to other nations owing to insecurity, hardship and lack of good amenities.
• Okononfua Bryan
