The Year of Hope

Hope.

What is it?  The Oxford American Dictionary defines it as "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen" or "grounds for believing that something good may happen."  As I read the above definitions, two words stand out to me - desire and may.  According to the definitions, hope is not a guarantee that a certain thing will happen.  Instead, it is simply something that you desire to happen, something that may (just maybe!) happen.  It's hoping you'll get a promotion.  Hoping he'll ask you out.  Hoping the cancer will go away.

To me, the Oxford American Dictionary's definition of hope sounds like nothing more than optimism.  I am nothing if not an optimist, but deep down, I can't shake that nagging feeling that there's got to be more to it.

I think of I Cor 13:13, one of the most famous verses in the Bible - "And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  Faith and love, I get.  No questions asked.  My brain completely comprehends the eternal and daily importance of both faith and love.  But hope?  What's the deal?  Was Paul really saying that the gift of hope makes the Christianity Top Three list?  Seriously?  An optimistic desire for a pie in the sky aspiration trumps other established virtues like joy, peace and patience?

Surely there must be another definition for hope.  Surely the Oxford American Dictionary is missing something.  Surely the English language has cheapened the word for everyday use, similar to the way we say "I love my new boots" and Billy Joel sings of "Keeping the Faith."

Darrell Young offers the following insight into biblical hope -  

The English word, “hope,” is translated from the Greek word, "elpis," meaning a confident expectation. The Christian is to confidently expect (i.e., to have full assurance without doubt) that the Lord will not only fulfill every single promise that He has made, but will also appear at the end of the age to gather His own unto Himself before the Day of the Lord.

Hmm.  "Full assurance without doubt."  This makes sense to me and is certainly more definite that the Oxford definition, but I have one small question still.  Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but isn't "full assurance without doubt" how you would describe faith?  Indeed, even the dictionary defines faith as, "complete trust or confidence in someone or something."

So now I continue through the maze of curiosity to determine what, then, is the difference between Christian hope and Christian faith.  Intent to find the answer, I went the super-scholarly route and Googled "what is the difference between hope and faith," and then clicked on the first link that came up.  This led me to a blog that included the following passage from Martin Luther's Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (italics mine).

The question occurs to us, What difference is there between faith and hope? We find it difficult to see any difference. Faith and hope are so closely linked that they cannot be separated. Still there is a difference between them. 

First, hope and faith differ in regard to their sources. Faith originates in the understanding, while hope rises in the will.

Secondly, they differ in regard to their functions. Faith says what is to be done. Faith teaches, describes, directs. Hope exhorts the mind to be strong and courageous.

Thirdly, they differ in regard to their objectives. Faith concentrates on the truth. Hope looks to the goodness of God.

Fourthly, they differ in sequence. Faith is the beginning of life before tribulation. (Hebrews 11.) Hope comes later and is born of tribulation. (Romans 5.)

Fifthly, they differ in regard to their effects. Faith is a judge. It judges errors. Hope is a soldier. It fights against tribulations, the cross, despondency, despair, and waits for better things to come in the midst of evil.

Without hope faith cannot endure. On the other hand, hope without faith is blind rashness and arrogance because it lacks knowledge. Before anything else a Christian must have the insight of faith, so that the intellect may know its directions in the day of trouble and the heart may hope for better things. By faith we begin, by hope we continue.

Beautiful.  

So why do I bring all of this up?  Because I am deeming 2009 as The Year of Hope.  Not a year to be optimistic.  Not a year to have a good feeling about.  No - The Year of Hope.  

I honestly don't know what 2009 will bring.  Maybe a move.  Maybe a new job.  Maybe fabulous new friends and fabulous times with the old ones.  Maybe a new love.  Maybe something so exciting, so wonderful, so beyond my imagination that I can't even comprehend including it in this paragraph.  And I do believe that any or all of these things could happen.

But 2009 could also bring tragedy.  Sadness.  Disease.  Loss.  2009 could be the hardest one of my life.  2009 could break my heart.  I've seen enough of life to also believe that any or all of these things could also happen.

But neither my wildest expectations of good things nor my fear of the bad ones will change that it is, for me, The Year of Hope.  Because I don't have to just blindly desire that I will find some great new job, or that I start dating someone, or that no one in my family becomes ill.

I don't have to, because I have faith.  Faith that all things work together for good.  Faith that God knows the plans he has for me.  Faith that I can be certain of what I do not see.  And I have love.  The love of the creator of the universe.  The love of a Savior that died for me.  The love of family and friends that is patient and kind, that does not keep a record of my wrongs.  Love that never fails.

And, of course, I have hope.  Bold, audacious hope.  The hope to find the will to endure whatever good things or bad things may come my way.  Hope to be encouraged; hope to be strong and courageous.  Hope that God does not withhold anything good from those who walk uprightly.  Hope that I am a soldier, a fighter; hope that I will be victorious.  Hope that better things are coming.  Hope that, regardless of what 2009 brings, I will continue on.

"But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  

And hope does not disappoint us."

Romans 5:4-5

Cheers to 2009:  The Year of Hope!