When Hope is Gone
This morning I received a distress signal from a good friend in the States. "I signed my own death sentence. I am pregnant." I didn't know whether to be angry or simply wail for her. She is such a sweet loving soul, a mother to three kids, hardworking and simply out of control. Her SOS was few and far between - whether she was in Indonesia, in another state in the U.S. or the Philippines, she seem to just be drawn to this cycle of pain and shame. We don't know how to help her anymore. I just sent her a text message to go home to her parents, assured her we love her still and encouraged her to believe that the Lord is able to change circumstances and make impossible things possible.
What do you do when all hope is gone and there is no one and nothing worth living for? Perhaps at one point in your life, you may have been in a similar situation. A love one passes away, a man leaves you for another woman, a person you trust betrays you, and God is silent and you wish death to take you and ease the pain away.
I have had my share of pains and disappointments in life. In fact, more that most people experience in a lifetime; yet I manage to move on, knowing that I am only able to do so by God's grace.
Many of my students have had many traumatic experiences in their lives as well. There are those that were abandoned; teenagers who have been abused; young women who have had abortions to escape the shame and fear of parents; and others who have remained unmoved, in spite of the seeming chaos in their lives. I have witnessed many dreams crumble, and have been part of many victorious moments as well. If we are to focus on our defeats, we cease to reach our dreams and die inside little by little.
When all hope is gone, all things are dark and formidable and nothing good is ever going to happen. When we focus on the silver lining in a dark cloud, we are reminded that the sun is shining even when we don't see it. And in another part of the globe people are rejoicing because there is another day to be grateful for.
We do not live in isolation. What we can do today we must do now for tomorrow may never come for others who have ceased to live. Every act of kindness echoes to eternity, where people pass on each smile and help someone in need.
I remember a visitor asking me why "I trust people so easily". I told him that without trust, we will always be on our guard and not let anyone in our lives. Having so many walls around us may protect us, but it also creates such an indifference that prevents love from flowing. It chokes our innate nature to nurture and develop new friendships and reach others who need tenderness. Death is not simply the absence of life; it is the loss of meaning in one's life. Many people simply continue to function, but have ceased to be alive.
We all need each other to make this world a better place to live in. Only when we transcend our selfish desires and live for others do we find meaning in our existence.
What do you do when all hope is gone and there is no one and nothing worth living for? Perhaps at one point in your life, you may have been in a similar situation. A love one passes away, a man leaves you for another woman, a person you trust betrays you, and God is silent and you wish death to take you and ease the pain away.
I have had my share of pains and disappointments in life. In fact, more that most people experience in a lifetime; yet I manage to move on, knowing that I am only able to do so by God's grace.
Many of my students have had many traumatic experiences in their lives as well. There are those that were abandoned; teenagers who have been abused; young women who have had abortions to escape the shame and fear of parents; and others who have remained unmoved, in spite of the seeming chaos in their lives. I have witnessed many dreams crumble, and have been part of many victorious moments as well. If we are to focus on our defeats, we cease to reach our dreams and die inside little by little.
When all hope is gone, all things are dark and formidable and nothing good is ever going to happen. When we focus on the silver lining in a dark cloud, we are reminded that the sun is shining even when we don't see it. And in another part of the globe people are rejoicing because there is another day to be grateful for.
We do not live in isolation. What we can do today we must do now for tomorrow may never come for others who have ceased to live. Every act of kindness echoes to eternity, where people pass on each smile and help someone in need.
I remember a visitor asking me why "I trust people so easily". I told him that without trust, we will always be on our guard and not let anyone in our lives. Having so many walls around us may protect us, but it also creates such an indifference that prevents love from flowing. It chokes our innate nature to nurture and develop new friendships and reach others who need tenderness. Death is not simply the absence of life; it is the loss of meaning in one's life. Many people simply continue to function, but have ceased to be alive.
We all need each other to make this world a better place to live in. Only when we transcend our selfish desires and live for others do we find meaning in our existence.
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