hope

First Sunday of Advent---Hope

I have a hope that those who are my brothers and sisters in Christ will begin to lay aside differences between us and focus on our common belief, our common faith--a hope that those things that divide and separate us will diminish and fade and that we can begin to effect a coming together of mind and spirit that reflects the mind of a God of love, mercy and grace

I have a hope that instead of the world seeing a bitter and bickering family of God that they would see a people that are more concerned with showing forth the love of God in all aspects of our life regardless of the differences in our congregational interpretations of doctrine

I have a hope that instead of being seen as a polarizing force in today’s culture, that we would be seen as a unifying one--a people that love unconditionally, without agenda or selfish ambition---without an air of superiority or exclusiveness

I have a hope that those who live by the power of Christ in their lives would learn to do so with meekness and humility instead of heavy-handedness and well-intended, yet ill-placed passions

I have a hope that those who call themselves Christian that rise to power in government would use that power not to divide and conquer, but to serve and protect

I have a hope that those who need and desire love and grace would seek and find it in those who call themselves Christian and can offer His love and acceptance, rather than relying upon a world that seeks to devour them and throw them away

is it all too much to hope for? Am I being unrealistic with my hopes? Am I too idealistic? Are my hopes based on what I feel is wrong with today’s Christianity? Am I just being reactionary?

what is hope if not a desire for a certain outcome based on a belief that errors can be admitted, wrongs can be righted, and the Christ that lives within me can be exalted?

is my hope misplaced, unwarranted, misguided?—maybe, but if all hope were realistic at face-value, then it would not be hope

and if hope does not arise and swell from need and desire for what many would consider difficult, if not impossible, then yes, I am misguided and idealistic

guilty...but not swayed