A week reflecting on Hope.
Hope is a vulnerable emotion isn’t it. It’s the first suspect after a betrayal, disappointment, abuse or grief.
“J’accuse!” as Aaron would say, pointing. “It is YOU that lead me into that trap. It is YOU that opened my heart. It is YOUR FAULT!”
And Hope in God, a God who is both here now and coming... a God who is not distant but invested... a God who is at once all powerful and all loving...
“You believe that God is coming to rescue you, is he?” said scornfully shielding a heart full of pain and rage and disappointment. “Where was God when...”
If hope at all is vulnerable (and occasionally stupid), Hope in God is shear idiocy beyond comprehension. It’s Santa for adults. A temporary and dangerous illusion meant to sooth us from the harsh realties of life.
And yet... the Christmas season is all about Wild, Expecting Hope. Vulnerable Hope. Hope that God would not just rescue us but join us. Hope that God would not just create us but enjoy us. Hope that God has come and is coming. Hope that we are not rejected despite our ugly and hate, instead we are sought for, fought for and recklessly loved. It's a Huge Hope.
From my perspective, Hope in God is either a naïve, reckless numbing that is occasionally harmless but frequently leads to delusion, hatred and death or a Courageous Virtue that has embedded in it the opportunity to change reality by first changing the heart.
Hope is a vulnerable emotion isn’t it. It’s the first suspect after a betrayal, disappointment, abuse or grief.
“J’accuse!” as Aaron would say, pointing. “It is YOU that lead me into that trap. It is YOU that opened my heart. It is YOUR FAULT!”
And Hope in God, a God who is both here now and coming... a God who is not distant but invested... a God who is at once all powerful and all loving...
“You believe that God is coming to rescue you, is he?” said scornfully shielding a heart full of pain and rage and disappointment. “Where was God when...”
If hope at all is vulnerable (and occasionally stupid), Hope in God is shear idiocy beyond comprehension. It’s Santa for adults. A temporary and dangerous illusion meant to sooth us from the harsh realties of life.
And yet... the Christmas season is all about Wild, Expecting Hope. Vulnerable Hope. Hope that God would not just rescue us but join us. Hope that God would not just create us but enjoy us. Hope that God has come and is coming. Hope that we are not rejected despite our ugly and hate, instead we are sought for, fought for and recklessly loved. It's a Huge Hope.
From my perspective, Hope in God is either a naïve, reckless numbing that is occasionally harmless but frequently leads to delusion, hatred and death or a Courageous Virtue that has embedded in it the opportunity to change reality by first changing the heart.
I choose Hope, but I understand if you can't or don't or won't. I will try to Hope enough for the both of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment