Hope

In light of the news of the passing of Robin Williams there has been much talk about suicide and how does someone get to that point.  I look at it differently.  How do any of us not end up at that point?  Life is hard and this world can be very cruel.  I do not know Robin's struggles.  I only know my story.  I know how I have struggled and how I have managed to hang on to this point.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13 NIV

This could be a key to much of the turmoil we see in people around us and maybe in our own lives.

We have created a culture that has demonized faith.  We are bombarded with a message that faith is no longer needed.  We have science and reason.  If you have faith you are treated as ignorant, intolerant, and out of touch. I can no longer believe that there is a larger power, of some form, at work in this world.  I am then left to be the ultimate answer to the world around me and the universe beyond.  This is far to great of a weight to carry. 

Therefore, if there can be no faith, and I have to be the answer, I am also left with no hope.  I have no hope for this current life, because it is now meaningless.  I have no hope for life after this one because I have no answer.  I am left with no hope for a better world in the future.

I have no hope for the future because if faith and hope are gone can there be any true love?  I cannot think of an example of love that exists without some faith and hope.  

You do not have to walk through this life without hope.  If you place your faith in Christ Jesus you will have hope for this life and the life to come.  Jesus modeled the greatest act of love for us that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".  Like any true gift of love it is free.  You just have to accept it.

Robin, I hope you have found faith, hope, and love.  Your work and generosity will always be remembered.