Power of Hope

 

I don’t know about you, but after these past two disturbing and disappointing days, I was in the need of some hope. It is easy to become discouraged as we watch events unfold in the world around us. It is easy to become resigned to a bleak future if we listen to arguments that range from justification of the unimaginable to the pronouncement of the end of the world. I am interested in neither. I refuse to accept a view of the world that claims these be the only options.

People of faith have another factor in the mix of life and how we deal with challenges and struggle. We have hope. We are not bound by what is or has been, nor are we limited in our vision of what may yet be. We believe that, even in those situations and choices that break both God’s heart and ours, God is with us and God is at work for the good of all people.

This is not some naive way of looking at the world. It is a “roll up your sleeves and make a difference” way of life. Hope drives us to be true to the values of the Jesus way, regardless of what values rule the moment. Hope strengthens us to be who we are regardless of election results and current polls. Hope guides us through the darkness of our world because , as scripture teaches, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

As I walked around my church building late last night, this image struck me with the power of hope. A dark and threatening sky. A cold and bitter wind. A long and exhausting day in the midst of an overwhelmingly difficult week. And there, rising strong and solid in the face of it all, the symbol of my hope. Hope is grounded in the steadfast love of God. And God’s love never fails.

Hope does not disappoint us. Be strong.

Peace.