Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I 've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
~Emily Dickenson
In the face of our current world conditions, it seems, we are being fraught with mobilizing forces to undermine and destroy our country, her foundation of freedom, as well as the gift of life, liberty and happiness.
But in the midst of these growing world conditions, we also seek to understand the undermining forces, that weigh heavy on the forefront of our hearts and minds.
In light of the values our country were founded on, which was considered a Christian affirmative, including the doctrines of the reality of evil and suffering, we are reminded that these truths are worthy of being kept on the front line of that affirmation.
It is not that religion itself produces virtue and consolation in the midst of evil. It is the reality of God, Who is alive and is at work within the evil and suffering, transforming it, by the same energy of the Father, before the world was made.
Although, we understand, the kingdom of Heaven will never be attained in this world, other than by hard work and struggle, we can be reminded that the human soul prefers expressing creativity rather than happiness.
Philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev, was born in 1874, in Kiev, Ukraine. His belief regarding Christ, the Divine, was that even as the human soul suffers, it also creates continually, and there is nothing that could prevent the soul from preferring creativity.
This Sunday, many of us will be celebrating Resurrection Day. Once again, we will be reminded of God the Father's faithfulness to, "creativity". Creating not only the world, the universe, time and angels, but also people like you and me.
And having revealed to us, the creation of the worlds; the Heavens, Hell, light, dark, time, and the angels; the faithful and fallen, as well as humanity and our animal counter parts of furry, feathered, vertebrate, invertebrate, arthropods, amphibious, terrestrial friends and whoever else I may have missed, God also particularly revealed ... His love for us ... in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who being God in human form, loved us so much, that He created a way to redeem sinful humanity, that we might be co-creators with God Himself.
Easter Sunday is upon us. As we celebrate God's Son rising from the grave, the Resurrection, we rejoice in the fulfillment of the promise of eternal life from God Himself, through His Son Jesus Christ, for all who trust Him.
And therein.... is our hope, "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." Hebrews 6:19
For the Support of Your Life
For the Many Sides of Life
credits:
1. The Whimsical Christian by Dorothy Sayers
2. Nikolai Alexandrovich Berdyaev/Wikipedia