Hope is a very powerful motivator. It drives individuals, families, churches, companies and certainly nations. When hope is absent from our lives, it leaves us with the sense that matters are out of our hands, and we fall victim to hopelessness.
As a nation, we have inaugurated a new president who speaks of hope for our country and our future. In fact, his 2006 book was entitled “The Audacity of Hope.” His thesis is that hope provides the foundation for progress, growth and strength that opens the possibility for solving the problems our nation faces.
Through concerted effort, genuine respect, civil interaction and graceful acceptance, we can collectively conquer the challenges that we face and the divisions that separate us.
As citizens in this blessed land of ours, our collective hope is that our new president will be successful in bringing us together to begin the process of solving problems and bridging differences.
The Church of Jesus Christ has always proclaimed a message of hope based upon the witness of God’s saving grace and the principles of love and justice. It is here that Christians claim empowerment to build a bright future. With God’s guiding presence, we do not see our world’s future as being without optimistic hope.
Listen to what the prophet of old writes: “You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, ‘it is hopeless’; you found new life for your strength and so you were not faint” (Isaiah 57:10).
In the coming months we will be hearing much from our designated leaders. Proposals will be formed, presented, debated and passed on how we can be most effective in working together for solving our national problems.
Join me in praying for our leaders that they may gather in diplomacy to work together for justice and peace. The task may be daunting and the journey quite long. However, we can make progress because hope is on our side, and new life and strength are before us. We are not faint. Thank God, hope is on the horizon.
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The David P. Nelson is interim pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Salisbury.