Along with love, it’s what the world needs now. When we look at what the world “deals” in, it’s everything antithetical to hope. Take your pick: negative vibes, divisive politics, false idols, creature comforts, self-centeredness, expressing hate with guns, social media tropes, and racism. Why don’t we talk about hope? Young people don’t see it in society or their cell phone screens. Precious little is going right in their lives. The future looks bleak, with nothing but empty promises. Even if they are blessed enough to have supportive, loving, encouraging parents, they are struggling too. Work hard? Even when they have the incentive and motivation to apply themselves, they may not make it above the poverty line.

Hope does not lie in this world, which, sadly, is the only world they will see. UNLESS someone shows them the better way. There is a preferred future. It lies beyond the yellow brick road, even the wizard. It doesn’t need to be saccharine-sweet, a rosy path, or “pie in the sky”. Those are only empty platitudes; nothing real. We know, and have, a better story. The winners are faith, love, and hope. Christian hope is not separated from reality. That’s a heavy lift, a long reach for many to deal with. That’s where we can explain it in earthly, fleshly ways – a terrifying pregnancy, with it’s dire implications. A horrific crucifixion. A hope that deals with addictions, conflict, loneliness, and dysfunction.

We can not, need not, divorce reality from hope. Go with troubled souls into their darkness, wedging hope into the crack of the door. Take that heavy cylinder cops use to break down the door. Shine a spotlight of God’s love into their emptiness. Deal the hope and unconditional love that is so improbable that it will remain when all other attempts fall short. Which they will. The world needs it. Lonely, sin-sick souls need it. Don’t be afraid, because you are more ready than you know.

Pastor Art