Recent events have brought a fresh reality to the how fragile life can be. The combination of friends dealing with death, life threatening illnesses, and life altering events gives me reason to pause. Is my awareness of life’s precarious edge just head knowledge? Am I willing to let my heart wrestle with how to respond?
A call in the early morning hours brought a fresh awareness. In my groggy, not yet awake stake, the first few words took me from a deep sleep into high alert. I knew I needed to be present, now! The tone and emotions that came through unspoken was a plea from one heart to another’s.
I realized that to those dealing with life and death, good and evil, I have no easy answers. In general, I have no answers at all. While I may have a thought or two, what I can offer is the Hope that God leaves with each equally. Divinity reminds me that although Evil may win the battle at hand, Good will ultimately come out on top. “Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word, oh, Death?” (1 Corinthians 15.55) In the battle at hand, the mantras of Hope at the lifelines we can hold onto. Compassion is the answer to absolute justice. Mercy is a greater response. Community grows from the equality of all its members.
With each interaction of pain, uncertainty, and fear, I found that my words were not the final answer. Life is never complete within us. We were created to be in relationships with God and others. The conversations remind me of universal truths that live in and through us.
Listening is one of our greatest gifts to others. Listening with the intent of understanding and learning. Listening that is unconditional.
Hope is something we can share. Hope is a priceless gift that changes everything.
God conversations transcend our faith systems. Our conversation with God makes a difference to those in our lives. I see Hope in others – God in and though us.
