In the last few months we have carved out time to reflect and analyze. Three of us are on a mission. We have spent time, money, and resources we did not have on pursuit of a better future for another. From my viewpoint, our intent was honorable. We have challenged ourselves to see more. We have held each other accountable to our higher values. We have no accepted the status quo.
I am not sure our quest will have a happy ending. Despite our efforts, we may not succeed. Even though the end is in sight, it may not end well.
As I think of the Chilean miners buried underground for two months, I realize that things had a chance of working for a singular reason. Everyone involved held onto hope.
Hope was born because they did not accept defeat. Nothing about the magnitude of the tragedy was going to stop the recue effort.
Hope lived because the individuals were willing for more. Normal included ideas from anyone, contributions from everyone, and a spirit of reaching farther than anyone had before.
Hope lived because obstacles were seen as opportunities. The impossible was not.
As I contrast our problem with the Chilean miners, ours is so much simpler. Yet the chances of success contrast on the singular idea of hope. One had it what the other did not.
I know a God of Hope. Divinity, as represented in the Christ, never accepted defeat. He reached for more. He used each obstacle as a invitation to reveal compassion engagement in living out love. The contrast is hope and a lack of hope. Said another way, “whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.” (1 John 5.12)
The 33 buried men had a choice. The company and nation above had a choice. They reached for hope and all are alive today. I hope that my choice today will reflect theirs. I want to reach for Hope. I want to see more. I want to make a difference, to others as well as to my soul.
