Hope
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” -Romans 8:38, KJV
In recent days the level of hopelessness and anxiety has risen to levels that are unprecedented. News outlets and social media forums point us to a world in despair and disarray. So hope seems far away in a fairy tale land like something in a dream; yet, hope is real. It is not far from you or me. Life may not be perfect and truthfully, you would not want it to be. If you had everything you needed and wanted in life, you would be a spoiled child without the ability to speak kindly, express compassion or appreciate what you have.
The opposite of hopelessness is hope. Hope is a terminally ill child, whose parent just desires one more day with them. In a homeless person who wonders about their next meal or bed. A parent with cancer fighting for one more day in order to see their child grow up. A child with a parent with Alzheimer’s who hopes their ability to remember and retain their memories can return. In an abandoned child the opportunity be part of a family and have a permanent home. In a person who has lost their job and just hopes for a second chance. The list goes on and on…it never becomes a moment of hopelessness each moment is a moment of grace. It brings forth hope.
In the memoir Night, Elie Wiesel, a survivor of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, noted that in his moments of despair and hopelessness when he wanted to die he would find hope. In the memories of those who died before him, in the voice of his father hiding his own piece of stale bread so Elie could eat and survive. He suffered first hand some of the worst experiences recorded in history; yet, he chose to keep each moment alive because he believes that if he forgets he would become exactly like those who harmed him and took the life of his father, mother and sister.
We know that hopelessness brings forth depression, anxiety and a sense of loss. Loss of what is important and of the value, your life has. Hopelessness is normal at any given point in life; especially, when a situation seems to exasperate all glimmer of hope and life. It is okay…it is okay to feel this way but it is not okay to stay in that moment because there is hope. Hope that in the next second, minute, hour you have the ability to arise from where you are and make a change that will not only impact you but others around you. You will go through trials, it is inevitable, but it is not okay to walk around like a defeated person. Your story continues to be written; and someday, you will be part of a larger story, of a life you affected, of a word you said, of a shoulder you let someone lean on or of a smile, you shared with another person when they felt no one noticed them.
Beloved, wherever you are at this moment. If all seems to be going wrong. If you feel unloved and misunderstood. Take a breath….remember you are loved. Jeremiah 1:5, says, “before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” You are here and your life is a blessing. Millions never had the opportunity to see the light of day. Yet you live, you are loved and you are seen. Your life matters. You may not understand it now; but you are not here by accident. Create change, lift others up and impact lives. I pray that as you read this you will understand that you are not here by accident and you can have hope in the midst of it all for nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. “If I say, surely the darkness will hide me and the light will become night around me. Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like day, for darkness is as light to you” Psalm 139:11-12.