Hope Is Found Looking Beyond Death To See Life

by Eric Elkin

“May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”

— Romans 15:13 (The Message)

un·prec·e·dent·ed

adjective: unprecedented

never done or known before."the government took the unprecedented step of releasing confidential correspondence"

Unprecedented is the latest catchphrase sweeping the country. Everyone is using it from the president to news reporters to late-night talk show hosts. I think we need to take a step back and re-think our vocabulary. What we are going through is definitely unique, serious, ominous, and fearful, but it is not unprecedented.

This is not the first pandemic to alter lifestyles and claim human life in the United States. Also, this is not the first time the stock market plunged, we faced a recession or a rise in unemployment. I am not saying this to minimize the seriousness of the challenges in front of us. My point is, this is not our first rodeo. As a matter of fact, we are probably better equipped to handle this crisis than at any other time in history.

As a nation, we have battled tuberculosis, influenza, polio, and HIV-AIDS. Each disease had a devastating impact on the entire nation and the world. Even today, some of these diseases continue to wreak havoc on people. We only pay attention to them when they impact us.

Previous generations surrendered some of their freedom. They took radical precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Many families directly experienced the loss of life. The experience altered them for the rest of their lives. But they did not surrender their hope.

“Look, if I were alone in the world, I would have the right to choose despair, solitude and self-fulfillment. But I am not alone.”

— Elie Wiesel

We are being asked to step up for the welfare of the nation and the world, just like our grandparents and great-grandparents were asked to ration food during World War II. Maybe this generation will learn the importance of vaccines. A lesson I learned when I got my polio shot as a child. We might learn that as a nation, we need to be prepared for more than a military conflict.

When we give in to the hyperbole of conversation, we surrender hope without realizing it. I invite you to intentionally look for hope in your day. Hope is found on my afternoon walks. I see more people enjoying nature during our “shelter-in” than when we had the freedom to move as we like. The church is being forced to think electronically and beyond its four walls. This is something that should have happened a long time ago. I see people desperate for community. Perhaps after this pandemic, we might be more appreciative of each other.

There will be some tough days ahead, but if we abandon hope, our ability to endure them and help each other get through them will be compromised. Unfortunately, there is a precedent set regarding human trials and tribulations. However, hope is also a precedent set by previous generations. It was a hope they found in the death and resurrection of Christ.

The word we should be repeating is not unprecedented, but hope. Like Paul did in Romans 15:13. “May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”

Paul was no pollyanna. The average life expectancy during his time was low. Few people lived beyond 30 years old. Yet, Paul found hope in looking beyond death to see life. This is what we are asked to do with a particular focus every holy week. I think this year, that lesson will be abundantly clear. At least, I hope it will be.

Click to read Romans 15:13

Reflection Questions:

How has the word unprecedented impacted your frame of mind?
When was the last time you felt this kind of stress?
Where do you look for hope in your daily life?
How does hope shape the message of Holy Week? How can the hope of Holy Week shape your future?

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