By David Phillips
Disappointment and Hope
No matter where you stand on how our nation and state have dealt with the Cornoavirus Pandemic, you are likely very ready for things to get back closer to normal for our everyday lives. We’re being told that there is going to have to be a “new normal” in the future, but just what that is going to be still remains to be seen. Perhaps you were, like me, disappointed that the Governor’s announcement yesterday DID NOT make any provision for the resumption of public worship services. I was really hoping that we would be allowed to meet together in the church building on Sunday, even with “social distancing” rules and other reasonable accommodations. But, maybe in a couple more weeks…
At the risk of sounding repetitious, we’ve been learning to contend with a lot of things lately that we might never have thought would become features of every day life. No longer does it look unusual to see people everywhere in public wearing masks and gloves. The marks and arrows on the floor of the grocery store are starting to look normal, and speaking to the cashier through a plexiglass screen is actually seeming like a good idea now.
The dictionary defines disappointment as sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. That pretty well describes some of my thought process lately, especially after yesterday’s non-announcement. But it actually reaches back farther than that.
Initially, I was disappointed to see our nation’s largest trading partner take such a careless approach to the original spread of the virus from its apparent source. I was disappointed to see all the partisan politics brought to light, as it always is, in the face of such a disruptive national situation. I was disappointed to once again be reminded of how far our national debt is going to reach into the future of our children and grandchildren. I was disappointed to see the selfish side of humanity appear so boldly with the hoarding and price-gouging, along with the opportunistic attitude of so many. I’ve been very disappointed to see how so many in the media have tried to create every possible opportunity to sell the American people on fear, panic and negativism.
Actually, it’s been disappointing to be once again reminded that there is such a stark difference between Christianity and the world, and especially to see that even some of those who claim to be Christians don’t seem to recognize it. But enough of all the negativism; that’s not what I wanted my message here to be.
Let’s look at the other side for a minute. In a passage that we’ve already looked at in a previous article, Romans 5:3-5, Paul reminds us that the hope we have even in the face of tribulations does not disappoint… (NASB). The Amplified Bible says in verse 5, Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us…
This is a good reminder that while we can anticipate positive turns in earthly events, they won’t always work out like we want, and that our real hope is on a much higher plane. Romans 8:25 tells us that patient waiting is connected with the Christian’s hope. Romans 12:12-13 admonishes us to be rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Romans 15:4 says that a main source of our hope is the encouragement of the Scriptures. Hebrews 6:19 speaks of the hope that is set before us as Christians in this way: This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast…
I’m definitely looking forward to normal life again, but I frequently need to be reminded not to get caught up too strongly in earthly hope. The words from the chorus of an old familiar song seem very appropriate here:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
God bless.