The Value of Hope

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

Thus declares the Man of La Mancha as he sets off on his Quixotic quest; he dreams The Impossible Dream.  That song articulates the prevailing mindset of our day.

• Aim high.     
  
• Boldly go where no man has gone before.
  
• Chase your destiny.
  
• Don’t settle for less.
  

With the possible exception of X and Z, I could provide an alphabet-long list of motivational phrases.  While many of the bold expressions prove helpful in inspiring achievement, others equate to shallow promise.  One such enticement is simply a lie. 

“You can be anything you want to be.”
Or its equivalent . . .
“You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”

Parents and well-wishers cheer and congratulate graduates as the students don their caps and gowns.  They proceed to give embroidered towels, watches, trips, cash, and some receive a copy of this book Oh, the Places You’ll Go.  Dr. Seuss starts as you would expect . . .

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

Later the Dr. continues in the same vein, yet adds a needed modifier . . .

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't
Because, sometimes, you won't.

“Except when you don’t because, sometimes, you won’t.”  While not words you will find plastered in school hallways, they do prove prophetic.  Regardless of what well-intentioned speeches and boldly printed words declare, you cannot be anything you want to be nor accomplish everything you wish to achieve.

Here, right now before all of the air leaves your balloon, is a perfect time to highlight a word that, despite its brevity, inflates our expectations with a positive promise . . . 

But

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, speaking to a people who knew success followed by failure and dashed dreams, used that word to turn them back to the path of success.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
but those who hope in the LORD
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Turn your ear to the promise, and delight in its sound.  Now search the promise for the prerequisite to renewal, soaring, and freedom from weariness . . .  
“those who hope in the LORD”

• How did Joshua look upon the same giant-like men of Canaan as did the other spies and volunteer to march in and claim the land?
• How did young David stare down Goliath and doubt not his victory?
• How did Esther gather the courage to approach the king?
• How did Mary face the challenge of public gossip and ridicule?
• How did Jesus walk willingly to the cross?
• How did Lincoln lead a nation divided?
• How did Mother Teresa serve the lepers of India?
• How do you still worship even after such a great loss?

In a word – Hope.

Isaiah uses the word qavah (kaw-vaw) which is translated in various places as hope, wait, look, and expect.  We surmise, therefore, that biblical “qavah-ing” is an act of expectation rather than a “wish upon a star” or “somewhere over the rainbow” daydream.  

The author of the Old Testament proverbs uses the word batach (baw-takh’) which is translated as hope as well as trust.  Hope is trust.  

Join me in a text where the wisdom literature writer declares the value of such “batach-ing.”

Proverbs 3:1-6 (NIV)
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Since hope, as defined biblically, is an act of expectation and trust, we do well to identify a few of the essential practices of the hopeful.  The words of wisdom found in Proverbs three declare that the hopeful engage in acts of faithfulness.  I draw your attention to four of them.

1)     Remember -

Proverbs 3:1a (NIV) - My son, do not forget my teaching,
Proverbs 3:3 (NIV) - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

2) Keep -

Proverbs 3:1b (NIV) - keep my commands in your heart, This is the action of obedience.

3) Trust -

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

4) Submit -

Proverbs 3:6 (NIV) - in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

As you commit yourself to those actions, you will find the great alternative to the oft-quoted lie.  Compare these two statements and identify them as True or False.

#ordinarylives


Works Cited:
Geisel, Theodor Seuss. Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss (pseud). New York: Random House, 1960.
"The Impossible Dream" by Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh from Man of La Mancha, 1965.