Living with HopeOptimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things-the weather, human relationships, the economy, the political situation, and so on-will get better. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.
All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope. - Fr. Henri Nouwen
I am inspired today by these prayerful words from Fr. Henri Nouwen. They take me to the notion of "hope" that Barack Obama has written and spoken about, and exemplifies in his leadership. It's all such an audacious thing, indeed! What a season and time we are all living in, eh? There's so much we are celebrating in Obama's upcoming Inauguration, following Monday's US Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and life.....These are two beautiful leaders of hope, who are fueled by our collective witness to this notion! Do you agree? I'm equally appreciative of Fr. Henri Nouwen's listing of other hopeful leaders. I wonder, "Where do you consider yourself in this line up? What do you live with? How does faith inform your navigation and leaning into the present moment? Where is your hope as is relates to your future?"
Happy Contemplating!
In peace, prayers, love, hope,
Melissa
No comments:
Post a Comment