3. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: HOPE AGAINST DESPAIR

“Heaven is a house with porch lights.” ~ Ray Bradbury

Wednesday, December 4th

This season, I know that many of us need the hope of God in Christ to lessen our feelings of despair.

As I reflected on my own despair, I found an enlightening post by Dr. Almut Furchert (Dr. phil., Dipl. Psych.), a German American scholar, practitioner, and writer (and more) who once lived behind the Iron Curtain. She explained how totalitarian systems of government are “built on the human capacity to despair. Arbitrary policies, raw displays of power, and flaunting of common courtesy are all designed to make us lose courage and hope. And frankly, in the face of the human condition today, the status quo of this world, it is easy to think there is nothing we can do.”¹

Oh my… so creating despair can actually be a political strategy–and one we have certainly experienced in our recent U.S. election. Problems were exaggerated (and often untrue), fears were ignited, division was fueled, and blame was rampant. Now, as new threats and hateful words are boldly proclaimed, I begin to feel as if there is nothing I can do.

But I am gratefully encouraged by Dr. Furchert’s reminder from Søren Kierkegaard: “Create possibility, create possibility!… Then the desperate can breathe again…”

And possibility is Hope.

When we follow the ways of Jesus, we choose to live in defiance of all that comes against God’s love for the world. Our hope in Christ inspires new possibilities in ourselves and others. Our lives reflect a visible resistance to the wrongs before us, as every act of hope-filled kindness becomes an act of rebellion, every word of encouragement serves as a useful deterrent, and every reminder of steadfast goodness forms a quiet shield against the forces of despair–both within ourselves and in defense of others.

May our hope enable us to act courageously despite our fear. To walk calmly through the chaos. To speak openly for those who are silenced. To tend all of creation with spiritual wisdom. To help in ways where others refuse, for those whom others ignore. To “create possibility (so) the desperate can breathe again.”

To “turn our porch light on”… to shine through the darkness with love.

¹ (4) Almut Furchert | Substack
(Photo by Karen)