I had some more thoughts on hope and why I feel it may be more useful than beliefs.Peter said:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
I believe Peter was very specific with his choice of words. Notice he did not ask us to be prepared to give reasons for our beliefs.
One reason hope tends to be more useful is because it is not a matter of right or wrong. I could believe with my whole heart that something is true... then find out it isn't. How often has this happened to us?
Hope speaks to our desires and where our heart is going. I think scripture shows that God tends to focus on our hearts.
Hope allows me to fellowship. I just had a great walk and conversation with a good friend of mine. He is LDS and I am not. Many people find it difficult to fellowship with someone of a different faith. My friend and I do not have this problem and I think it is due to Hope. We have beliefs that are very different and we often candidly discuss them. However, above our beliefs we find that we share a common Hope - That God is a loving God who wants us to grow in Him. That Goodness will triumph. That this will all end in a way better than either of us can imagine.
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2 comments:
Nice post Andy and nice walk. Thank you for your friendship and example. I found this cool quote on hope that I thought you would like. Kory
"Without hope, what is the future of lubricating forgiveness among the human family? Without hope, why forgo now in order to preserve precious resources for future generations? Without hope, what will keep the remaining idealism from also souring into cynicism and thereby laying waste to governments and families-institutions already in such serious jeopardy?
"A coalition of consequences is emerging. As prophesied, the love of many waxes cold (see Matt. 24:12). Even those affectionately secure [in] themselves can sense the chill in the air. The loss of hope sends selfishness surging, as many turn, even more intensively, to pleasing themselves. The diminished sense of sin diminishes shame, that hot, sharp spur needed for repentance. Shame is often replaced by the arrogance of those morally adrift, including strutting celebrities whose outer boldness camouflages their inner emptiness. Henry David Thoreau correctly observed that "unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusement of mankind" (Walden, New York: Harper and Row, 1965, p. 7). No wonder so much hollow laughter emanates from the "lonely crowd." Brightness of Hope, Ensign, Nov 1994, p. 34
That was Neil A Maxwell
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