In the past week I have seen three programs that mentioned
the story of Pandora. I think we all
remember the story of the young woman entrusted with a box and warned not to
open it. And how she did open it, and
released all manner of evils and unhappiness upon the earth. But if you're like me, you've forgotten the
most important part of the story.
Pandora heard a little scratching noise inside the box, and when she
looked inside, she found a small winged creature in one corner. It was Hope.
All was not lost because Hope was also released into the world and it
has remained with us ever since.
Hope is also one of the four Advent candles we light in our
church. Hope sustains us as we wait for
the Christ Child. No matter how awful
things seem, no matter how desperate and depraved the situation, we can always
live with the hope that things will be better.
And as Christians we can live with the certainty that God is in control,
and wants only the best for us.
It seems as if the world today is on the brink of
chaos. Racial relations here in the U.S.
appear to be at a new low. Terrorism
seems to be everywhere. People in some
parts of the world are starving to death while others are dying from the
effects of obesity. Floods are
inundating some areas while others are suffering from years of drought. Children are dying of preventable diseases
for lack of vaccinations. Where is the
hope, we ask? Where is God in all this?
The same place He was when Christ came into the world. Times were equally bleak. Israel had been conquered by a series of
occupying forces – the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Seleucids,
the Ptolemies, and most notably, the Romans.
The Pax Romana. (Roman Peace) came at a high cost – heavy taxes,
the presence of Roman troops, being governed by Roman officials, poverty,
unrest, distrust.
I'm sure people felt just as
hopeless then as many do now. But we
mustn't abandon Hope, just as Hope doesn't abandon us. Things were very bleak when God sent Jesus
into the world. The Israelites were at
the breaking point when God sent Moses to release them. The Hebrews were at the point of death when
God used Esther to secure their safety.
And today we have Jesus to secure us.
This time of Advent is a time to put aside the bad habits and bad
attitudes that are weighing us down.
Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and
acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Even illness and disability can
steal our peace of mind and turn us away from Jesus. I know.
But if we will turn ourselves back to the source of life and Hope we
will find comfort. And if we share our
struggle with other believers we will find that we are not alone. Praise God!
Dear Father God, As we wait
for the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, help us to find Hope, and to trust
that all is well and will continue to be well.
Remind us that we are your hands and feet, and enable us to seek and do
Your will. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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