Tidbits for Thought

DAUGHTERS Of HOPE

1 Peter 1:20 “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the

world but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him

believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so

that your faith and hope are in God.” The above Scripture reference is

but one of many referencing the hope we have in Jesus. This great

hope is a touchstone and a brilliant beacon that bestows on Christians a

soothing path through the uncertainty of the world in which we live. In

many cases, hope in a better day is the catalyst that prompts an

individual or group of individuals to observe a wrong and try to

remedy it or at least to alleviate it. The early church father, Augustine

of Hippo, once wrote, “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names

are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are and Courage to

see that they do not remain as they are.” If, as professed Christians, we

take the words of Jesus at their face value, how can we not be angry

and outraged at today’s treatment of the poor and homeless? Why

don’t we have the courage to raise our voices as one and condemn the

hate and bigotry that is so prevalent? If, as practicing Christians, we

take the words of Jesus at face value, how can we not shudder at the

way immigrants are mistreated and denigrated on so many levels?

Why don’t we have the courage to insist that our congressional

delegates provide fair and equitable immigration laws that allow for

simple human dignity and respect? If, as loving Christians, we take the

words of Jesus at face value, how can we in any way, shape or form

support a political agenda that demonizes people whose lifestyles are

different than ours? Why don’t we have the courage to support and

protect the vulnerable among us, even if we don’t agree with their

lifestyle? If, as informed Christians, we take the words of Jesus at face

value, how can we justify any support for lies, misinformation,

conspiracy theories, verbal garbage and public hate speeches by want

to-be demagogues? Why don’t we have the courage to demand

absolute truth, honesty and integrity from our public officials…...AT

ALL LEVELS? I think that we all could agree that the world we live

in today is a hot, terrible mess. I think we could all agree that

something has to be done to remedy some of the ills that plague our

world. I think we could all agree that our country cannot survive for

long with the level of separation and hate that exists at this very

moment. The good news is even with all of the evil, ugliness and

corruption that are so evident, God still provides the hope of a better

day here on earth through Jesus. He is the shining example of a life

style that provides hope, purpose, and internal peace to millions of

believers. His example and the hope that stems from knowing Him

needs to be communicated to any and all who are looking for a better

way of life……. TODAY! Think about it!                        ~ Aron Smith