The world lacks something lasting, something profound,
something... revolutionary.
Hope.
In order to fully understand what hope is, one must first
understand what hope is not. I’m not
talking about hopelessness, because on one thing I think everyone agrees; we
all experience hopelessness. The stories
in this blog are but just glimpses into the depths of hopelessness. I will be posting stories as they are shared
with me, so that you will see just how not alone you truly are. The world knows hopelessness and longs,
yearns, and cries out for hope.
Have you been at the end of your rope, crying, screaming,
and begging for help? You reach out to
family, friends and lastly the God you never talk to, but nothing ever comes of
it. You knew it was just a shot in the
dark anyway. This isn’t hope. This is desperation.
Hope
is not
desperation.
Have you ever prayed, crossed your fingers, rolled the dice,
performed a ritual, used herbal medicines, or any other attempt to appease the
spiritual realm? Thinking perhaps this time you’ll get an answer? This isn’t hope. This is religion, albeit poorly performed
religion.
Hope
is not
religion.
Have you ever surrendered to the circumstances; thinking
that this is the hand you were dealt?
You continue living life, insecurely believing “it is what it is.” Apathy, and eventual depression set in. But at least you’ll never be hurt because “hey,
that’s life!” This sounds like humility
and trust but really it’s a heart that has given up. A heart that has given up doesn’t have hope.
Surrender
is not
hope.
I believe the three of these are examples of how the world
might view hope. The world misses the
mark. Surprised? Me either.
Hope, described in the bible is actually synonymous with confidence. What does this mean in application? It means that when you’re struggling, and you
are desperate for answers or rescue your confidence is tested. You have options for your confidence, you
know? You could try self-confidence
which actually begs the question, how did you get so desperate if your self was
the answer? Perhaps, you are not the
rescuer. Media, society, movies, and the
world have deafened you with their shouts of “You are the answer; you’ve had
the answer in yourself all along!!” Has
this worked out for you? C.S. Lewis said it quite astutely when he said “God
whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in
our pains: Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” God
is saying “ENOUGH!!”
You are not
Hope.
Your children are not your hope. Your religion is not your hope. Your money is not your hope. None of these things will rescue you. Don’t do the easy thing and give up, this
changes nothing. Place your confidence
where it belongs, in God. He’s stronger,
faster, bigger, and more immensely powerful than your suffering. It simply makes no sense to put your hope anywhere
else.
