America is a relatively young country by the standards of India, China, and the Middle East. As another season of reflection and giving begins to overwhelm even the most cynical among us, it is interesting to observe what binds us together as a family. It is not buildings or dreams. It is not our successes or our failures. Even the things that we aspire to do can be seen through differing viewpoints.
Life reminds me that it is humanity at its best that binds us together. We may call it by different words, but true Compassion that is lived and shared without conditions is humanity at its best. Grace, forgiveness undeserved, unmerited, and received without anything in exchange, when seen is humanity being Godlike. Community, selfish relationships collaborating for a greater good, is humanity at its best.
In the past few weeks I have witnessed and experienced compassion, grace, and community. People came together as a community to walk, share, and support each other. The setting started out as one defined by excitement and discovery. Along the way, it morphed into valleys of stress and exhaustion. In the end, I experienced it and as a living example of Hope.
Compassion and grace are often hard to find, unusual to experience. I was surprised to discover both in a dark conversation. As difficult as the conversation was, reluctance being the dominating emotion from both sides, I found myself in the embrace of compassion and grace.
As I think of the experiences, I realize that I am part of a larger group that can give witness; “We heard about it, then we saw it with our eyes – In God’s city of angel armies, in the city our God set on firm foundations, firm forever.” (Psalm 48.8) As black as things can be, Hope lives. As bleak as our line of sight is, there are reasons to believe the world can be a better place because of what we do.
Darkness never lasts. Compassion, grace, and community give birth to Light. You and I hold reasons for Hope.
