The Buoyancy of Hope

I know I am not alone when I say that sometimes I feel as if I am sinking. It is almost a whirlpool effect that takes place, like a piece of toilet paper being flushed down the toilet (hey, that is the only thing I could think of). Imagine for a moment, if you will, that you are treading water. It is easy at first, but then it becomes more difficult and you begin to struggle to stay afloat. You see, you can only tread water for so long before your head begins to bop in and out of the water, making a dire situation even worse, repeatedly taking in a mouth full of water. Without something or someone to embrace and keep you afloat you will eventually sink. Without a buoy of hope we will become like the piece of toilet paper drowning into a pile of… (well, you know).

I wish I could take credit for the phrase, the buoyancy of hope, but I can’t. I came across the analogy last night while reading, I Have A Dream: Writings & Speeches That Changed the World, by Martin Luther King Jr.. The editor of the book has done a fabulous job in compiling numerous writings and speeches throughout King’s life. In doing so, the reader receives a fluid, yet evolving perspective into King’s theology and philosophy of non-resistance; a perspective that is best summed up by the “Gandhian perspective of satyagraha (satya is truth which equals love, and graha is force;satyagraha thus means truth-force or love-force).”

Any reader of this blog is aware of Martin Luther King Jr. and the life he lived in the midst of such hatred and despair. In a time when racism was rampant and voices were silenced and rarely heard, his voice served as a rallying cry for those who were hushed and muted for far too long. From December of 1955 to his untimely death in April 1968 Dr. King paid the price for being the voice and leader to millions of men and women who sought equality for all. In his own words, written in an article entitled, “How my Mind Has Changed” in 1960, King tells us of the importance that hope played during this time in his life.

In the midst of outer dangers I have felt an inner calm and known resources of strength that only God could give. In many instances I have felt the power of God transforming the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope.

This would not be the only time King uses the phrase, buoyancy of hope. In September of 1963, Dr. King delivered a sermon at the funeral of three young girls who were killed by a bomb as they were attending Sunday school. Here is what King says to family, friends, and mourners at the service.

At times, life is hard, as hard as crucible steel. It has its bleak and painful moments. Like the ever-flowing waters of a river, life has its moments of drought and its moments of flood. Like the ever-changing cycle of seasons, life has the soothing warmth of the summers and the piercing chill of its winters. But through it all, God walks with us. Never forget that God is able to lift you from fatigue of despair to the buoyancy of hope, and transform dark and desolate valleys into sunlit paths of inner peace.

Don’t miss the transformation that Dr. King mentions here. By the power of God, the fatigue of despair can be transformed into the buoyancy of hope. I don’t know about you but, if given the choice, I would rather be supported by the buoyancy of hope than be flushed down the toilet, only to end up in a pile of dung.

Over Under

Every so often I pull, Hope for the Brokenhearted, off my book shelf and read a chapter or two. The author of the book, Dr. Terveen was one of my professors at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Just this past week, I read the chapter entitled, “In the Deepest Waters and Darkest Nights.” In this chapter Terveen takes a look at the all too familiar story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. If you are like me you might have heard this story numerous times; it most likely is one you can recite without even thinking about it. You know that the disciples departed by boat, across the lake. A storm took place and the disciples were frightened by it (this is odd because they were fisherman and would have been used to stormy weather). Amongst the chaos, they saw a ghost, or at least that is what they thought of Jesus when they saw him walking on the water. As he got closer he said. “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter, after a brief interaction with Jesus, gets up out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. He eventually removes his focus from Jesus and is reminded of the turbulent storm moving about him. It is at this point that he begins to sink and fall. Immediately, Jesus stretches his hands out, grabbing Peter, saving him from drowning.

Do you feel like that sometime? Do you feel as if your footing is unstable, causing you to stumble and fall? Notice that Peter did not become consumed by his surroundings until he lost sight of Jesus. Peter’s initial step of faith was solid and firm because it was rooted on the presence of Christ directly in front of him. I can imagine him thinking. “Hey I got this. This is easy. Hey guys, look at me I am walking on the water.” If we are honest with ourselves each one of us can imagine Peter thinking those words because we all would probably think the exact same thing. It is in our nature to draw attention to ourselves, seeking praise for what we have done through our own power. It is the other way around; we should praise and glorify God for what he has done through us through his power.

Let me leave you with a phrase that Terveen writes towards the end of the chapter as a reminder that though we may seem over burdened and afraid we have a God who loves and cares for us, stretching hi hand out to us.

“We must remember that what looks like it is going to be over our heads is already under Jesus’ feet.”

FATHER'S DAY REFLECTION

I woke up yesterday morning (Father's Day morning) to Maya climbing in bed with Heather and I. She was silent for a moment lying between us. She eventually starting talking with Heather, about what I do not know (I was still waking up). However when she said, "Mommy, I talked to Jesus" I was awake. Heather simply replied, "what did you talk about?" To which Maya said, "Jesus told me not to be afraid.... He told me that he was going to protect me from the serpent... He told me that I am going to be a big sister some day and to wait for mommy to have another baby in her tummy." This past week one of the greatest sources of comfort for me has come from the words and touch of my daughter. She has been amazing, her child like faith has revealed itself in numerous ways to Heather and I as we move through this time of healing and restoration after Heather's miscarriage.

Now back to yesterday... It's was great to relax and watch golf all day! Heather made me a scrumptious breakfast and I barbecued fresh hamburgers from scratch for dinner. Heather and I played boccie ball after dinner while Maya played at the park. It was a great day!

Intertwined with it all were thoughts and emotions centered on the death of my father nine months ago and Heather's miscarriage earlier this week. Life is fragile! The one thing that I focus on is the hope that I have in seeing both of them some day. I have no question that my father is holding my child in heaven as I am writing this and as you are reading it. It's the type of hope which is guaranteed, a sure thing. My favorite verse on hope is found in Romans.

Romans 5:3-5 reads:

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Questions to ponder:

1. Is this hope that the Apostle Paul writes about alive and well in you?
2. How does hope, "not disappoint"?