Hope
Hope is a very interesting thing. Shimmering with light, trembling with the whispered possibility of joy, Hope sidles up to Despair, nestles close, and remains there. Hope is courageous, stubborn, yet so fragile. Without each of these three qualities Hope would slowly fade into its ever-present neighbor, Despair.
To Hope, to pursue Hope, to hold on to Hope, are also very interesting things. Experiencing Hopefulness is among the greatest beauties of life. But to stand with Hope is to stand so very, very close to Despair, with your heart wide open.
The word 'hope' is so poorly used in our language. We say "I hope we get pizza for dinner" but this is not Hope; this is desire. Hope is desire with trust, with faith; with desperateness and risk. Hope must be deeply rooted, with much to lose and much to gain, aware of risk, unafraid to look at loss and disappointment and despair in the face, while still proclaiming its courageous message: the most powerful forces in the universe may yet be those of Love.
For my best and most courageous friend...
4 comments:
Hope IS a beautiful thing. I think it can be fortified by prayer and knowing that something is asked of God in the prayers of others. That alone can make you feel more hopeful. What God's plan is for each of us is never clear and some things cause us pain and confusion. Knowing God's eternal Love for each of us helps Hope to blossom. Of course, this kind of talk can just seem like so many words to someone in true distress but I think that when we consider situations in our own lives when we've been holding out for real Hope, we KNOW there is cause this hopefulness. Just little things in my own life has taught me this.
Peace and Love.
Hope.. having faith that things will work out as they should.
Excellent! :)
Wow. That was great. It reminded me of reading Phillip Yancey's thoughts on Grace as one of the last good words we have left. You are right that we use it too carelessly sometimes. I think of the times that I've felt like all I have is hope, and often that is when I am closest to God.
Thank you, my dearest and most treasured friend. I would not call me at all courageous, but I am thankful for friends that help me be more than I can be on my own. I love you.
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