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02/23/2008
A world to believe in...
Everyone believes in something. That fact is inescapable. Whilst we may denounce religion, faith, law, scientific research, animal rights, human rights, politics and even our friends or family, everyone believes something. People believe in their friends, people believe in their job or abilities and people believe in their affluence, estate and the power they hold. People believe they are right and they form opinions of the beliefs that other hold. Some people even believe in a God. In the worst scenario I suppose that a person could believe that nothing is worthy of trust. That is still a belief, albeit a desperate one.
Very few people believe in this world.
A free media report a degenerating and desolate world. We hear stories of abduction, murder, rape, genocide, poverty, debt, pollution, exticition, terrorism, disease, faillure, famine, war, drugs, deceit... And then the situation becomes worse, and suddenly we hear nothing. Who knows what is going on in Burmah now?
Hope seems to be a very personal thing. Does anyone dare hope for anything greater than a good home and secure livelyhood? People talk blithely of changing the world until quizzed, then they pour forth a host of reasons why the revolution must wait. First, they say, TNCs have to act, the government must pass more laws, celebrities need to take a stand. I have heard them call on the wealthy, the unemployed, the old, the young... in short everyone who is not them. Why does no one put their neck out saying, "I am here and I will stand for what is right, what is good,"?
Count the number of people you know who believe that there is hope for this world as a whole. Count the number of people you know who believe that change will ever happen on a large scale. Let me know if you need two hands.
How can we expect people to stand without hope?
I can't say that there is much I've hoped for at all in the past few months. I think that *getting by* has been the order of the day and much of the time I have ended up acting impulsively, going from pillar to post without any idea of where I am going or where I want to end up. As a result I've lost things and people I value, hurt those I care for and done a number of things I regret intensely. I understand why so many people find oblivion preferable - "drinking through the lies and broken promises".
Archbishop Rowan said something very curious today at his talk in Cambridge. In the Gospel of John, the first two things Jesus says are, "What do you want?" and "Come and see." He used this point in explaining what faith is and how people find it. He also said that it was a little like listening to Bach's St Matthew Passion... it could (is) be glorious, but to enjoy it fully you had to sit through the entire thing - no one ever advertises a "St Matthew Passion in 10 minutes". Neither is it always particularly easy to listen to.
As the Archibishops were talking this evening it was strange to watch everyone hanging onto thier every word. The building was packed, even strangers on the street were coming to the door and asking why "all of Cambridge are here tonight" ("It's like the blooming Tardis"). People laughed and they smiled, they clapped and then they were silent. Hard questions were asked and brutally honest answers given. The evening was packed with thoughts and ideas, intelligent answers that make no assumptions left much room for pondering - there was too much to take in in one evening. But I think near everyone walk away infected by the passion and realtistic hope that those two wise men embodied. No false promises or dreams of converting the universe, just a deep set hope in a world that we can believe in.
I now know why thousands flocked to hear Martin Luther King speak. Hope is infectious.
And for the first time in a good many months I began to think about what I could do - what I hoped for. It is important to know what you want, and to take the time to find out. But that is only the start... the harder thing is to take the risk and to come and see where that desire and hope will lead you.
I don't know where I will go, or where I will end up. I don't know what I will do with the time I have. I don't expect to be great or influencial. Neither do I particularly want it. I want to live a life that I wont be ashamed of. I want to do what I can, where I can for the people I meet. I want to find some sense of peace and wholeness in myself, not split myself over 2 or 3 completely different lifestyles and struggle to find the balance between them. I want to believe in this world and the people in it; that there is "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow".
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions." Proverbs 31:25-26
That is what I want. And I think that is worth the pain and trauma of "coming to see".
xXx
07:33 Posted in Faith , Life , Thoughts | Permalink | Email this
Comments
I am surprisingly optimistic about people - I see and talk to so many talented and good people everyday, who are caring and enthusiastic that I still think there is hope. I agree, hope is infectious. We are seeing it in America, with Obama's campaign, (the sad thing is that in order to counter Obama, there is a need to crush the hope), and we need to see it here. How do we counter the general disillusionment that seems to pervade modern society?
Answers on a postcard to....
Posted by: Kit dawe | 02/24/2008
You, my dear, are optimistic about everyone except yourself. By the way I have someone for you to meet! :P (*angel-face*) ... well several someones, but the list has grown again.
Hope is our strength, and hope is often our defeat. It is an aphrodisiac and subdues us. It makes people act, yet gives them the will to be patient.
It is a very powerful tool.... You just have to hope that the people using it have the wisdom to do well by it.
xXx
And in my experience, disillusionment is countered by a good dance, a pint with a friend, seeing someone you didn't expect sitting by on the train, dancing in the rain, singing in the shower, kicking up the leaves... and wearing your new red shoes to work.
Posted by: Ruth | 03/02/2008