Adrain also does write, on occasion, about more serious matters. Perhaps because of the light-hearted nature of most of his writing, when he does write about weighty subjects, there is a tendency to pay greater attention. In one of his books he writes about the importance of hope.
The story he relates is about a Jewish man and his Father imprisoned in one of Nazi Germany’s death camps. Food was scarce but the father kept back a little scraping of their margarine ration each day to make a lamp. when the time came to light the lamp, it was a weak and smoky affair. The son was furious at the waste but the Father reminded him that the light was a symbol of hope. The Father added that you can live, for a time, without food and water but without hope, life is not worth living.
Hope often seems in short supply in our world. Amidst all the turmoil and trouble of our modern world hope is often overwhelmed by despair, disillusionment and dread that seem so prevalent. Anxiety, depression, discouragement and feelings of hopelessness are in epidemic proportion.
When I worked in aged care the most frequently encountered health issue was not dementia but depression. At the other end of the aged spectrum many teenagers and even children are more pessimistic about their future than previous generations. Our modern media saturated world bombards with messages and images that rob of us of hope. Sometimes it is the over reporting and sensationalising of events which are tragic beyond understanding. At other times these images are used to manipulate us into purchasing a product or service that will relieve our feelings of despair. Social media in all its forms often has the effect of robbing of us of our hope and satisfaction. The perception of another’s perfect life skilfully presented in a single image, staged and possibly digitally manipulated lead us to doubt the value of our own.
I am not against social media, although I am cautious about its benefits. Nor do I think that ignorance of the events in the world around us is a good thing. I am however aware of the affect that both can have on our sense of hope.
Many have suggested that the antidote to our modern anxiety ridden, status seeking, modern world is to persevere in this present age with long suffering endurance. To cultivate a stiff upper lip and a sense of detachment. Whilst patient endurance in suffering can be a good thing, getting help is better. Community in the face of hopelessness is a powerful thing. Being involved in community at any level reminds us that we are not alone nor are things as bad as the media may have us believe.
Alongside seeking to live in community is asking ourselves where do we find our hope. If our hope is in politicians, business leaders, celebrities and possessions then we will eventually be disappointed and disillusioned. Politicians, despite all their good intentions do not have the solution to hopelessness. Business leaders, material gain and the pursuit of wealth will lead us down a path where we are never satisfied because we can never have enough. The lives that celebrities portray often have little resemblance. There are instances too numerous to recall, when a celebrity who seemed to have it all is revealed to live in a morass of anxiety, despair and depression.
To my mind, there is only one source of hope that lasts. Later this year, after Easter, the Church of the Good Shepherd will be exploring the hope that is offered in the Bible. A hope for our modern anxiety ridden world. We invite you to join us at either of our Sunday morning services (8:30 and 10am). If you are feeling without hope, drop into the church or give us a call – the church’s phone number is in the contact list at the back of the Valley Voice.
Yours in the Hope of Christ
Andrew
