For readers that didn’t notice, an updated “About” page, was posted on Feb. 11.
In my pursuit of a more positive approach to what I see as societies problems, it occurred to me, that it is impossible to be sincerely positive, without a full awareness of the negative. Showing a positive attitude just for the sake of appearing understanding and positive, is not being positive at all. That kind of attitude is at the least silliness and at its worst deceitful.
To define or measure anything requires a baseline, a set of standards or some sort of reference point. We know nothing about being good, unless we also know evil. A measurement of two meters is meaningless, unless we agree how long one meter is. To know what a positive approach to any issue would be, requires us to consider what a negative response would be like.
It is easier to stay positive, it one stays away from controversial topics, but that would be contrary to the purpose of this blog.
In order to somewhat skirt controversy, without getting too shallow, I would like to pose a question, and that is: What is your ultimate Hope? (in contrast to what I like to call every day hope)
The apostle Paul listed Faith, Hope and Love as the three highest virtues. When he considered hope, he was not thinking of “every day hope” that only serves the natural person, starting with concerns about being late for supper. Paul was talking about the “ultimate Hope” the one that is opposed by despair and serves the whole person, body and spirit. A hope that if not fulfilled, will have eternal consequences.
Hope is what puts faith into action, we are acting in every day hope all the time. We have faith in our traffic system, so when the light turns green, we drive in to the intersection in the hope that the other light turned red and the cross-traffic will stop. We have faith in our medical system, accepting anaesthetic and our bodies being cut open, in the hope that the doctors are qualified. And the list can go on. It is impossible to imagine our life happening in any recognizable way without our actions based on faith and hope.
It is important to differentiate between hope and wishful thinking. As mentioned, hope is realistic, as far as it is based on rules and experiences we trust, having faith in. Wishful thinking, on the other hand, has no rational reason to ever realize its vision, it is borne out of a dream world.
Hope is the fuel that motivate and moves us through life’s stages. When we are too young and dependant, our parents assist us, once we mature, the decisions are our own. Life moves along with all its hopes and dreams, fulfilled expectations and disappointments. Until we are facing the end of life, when every day hope hits the proverbial wall.
So back to my question, what is your ultimate Hope? What, if anything, is in your opinion on the other side of the wall? Maybe you say you don’t care, but that is equal to wishful thinking, borne out of a dream word. When you are facing the wall, the dream is over, there is only reality.
As for my Hope, this hymn writer summed it up perfectly:
- My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand. - When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil. - His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay. - When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Horstt