What Gives Us Hope

The poet, Cole Riley paints a beautiful picture of what it looks like to hold on to hope:

It can feel foolish to pause to marvel at the stars when the world is burning. Or to find the world beautiful when you’ve known it to betray you. But wonder is a liberation practice. A reminder that we contain more than tragedy. And beauty is our origin and our anchor. - Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies

When Paul wrote to the church that was stuck in the heart of the Roman Empire, he mentioned at one point that “Hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:5). Sometimes it can feel hard to hold on to that conviction these days, doesn’t it?

For Paul, part of his conviction came from the experience of feeling God’s love - of being deeply touched by it and aware of God’s reality. That changed everything for him.

For others, it’s our connection with others who are fighting the good fight - that fellowship is what sustains our hope.

For others still, there’s an internal drive that, for whatever reason cannot be extinguished - we keep hoping because it’s who we are.

What is it that gives your hope wings these days? Where do you find encouragement to keep on hoping and to keep on working for good in the world?