Blog 4

We live in a world where relativism is celebrated; conformity is cherished, where ‘oneness’ is worshiped.  In this world of ours, unrest grows exponentially daily.  A sense of hopelessness can spread like malaria.  As human creatures we are often encouraged to let others, those more ‘enlightened’, think for us.  I am encouraging just the opposite, Think for yourself.  Stop the steady diet of being fed the opinion of others, of accepting as truth what is in print or telecast, which changes as often as the weather, depending on the author or reporter. Just for a minute ponder your definition of truth.  Where do you find it, what do you measure it with, how do you evaluate the credibility of a stated truth?  What do you use as a standard measure?  

I personally like what is statistically impossible to disprove because I like science and facts.  I base my hope on one of these statistical anomalies.  Statistically it is improbable and nearly impossible that a group of 40 men writing information over a period of thousands of years, can have a message of congruence, refer to one-another's writings (before the age of mass media), and all point toward one topic and one conclusion.   From a purely statistical standpoint I will place audacious hope on these odds. 

There are few if any things in our ever changing world that can beat these statistical odds.   So I ask you to consider throwing off restraint and opening yourself to the possibility of something statistically above comparison and something that has defied the test of time and man-made destruction/ interpretation…something that may look different to you than you anticipated. 

Do you remember the definition in Blog #1 of Audacious Hope:  Intrepid boldness to cherish a desire with anticipation, bold disregard of normal restraints to desire something with expectation of obtainment, adventurous expectation with confidence?    I just wanted to remind you of what is driving this blog.  I want you to wrestle with and grasp audacious hope for yourself.  Have you ever heard of ‘words’ described as “living”?  What does that mean and what does it look like?  The word ‘living’ in the Greek means: alive, quick, lively.  Living words would be alive, quick and lively.  In our despair and hopelessness we cling to shreds of life.  What if a ‘living word’ can become the foundation for your audacious hope?  Is it possible?  

It will require bold disregard of normal restraints to find out.  Bottom line, what is the worst that can happen-- it is not a good fit for you.  On the other hand, what if it is a perfect fit for you?  For some who read this blog it may be the one last thing they will try before throwing in the towel.  For others, perhaps curiosity will cause you to consider the possibility of something living that will touch what has been dead inside for so long.  Still others may read this blog and want to stir contention.  For whatever reason, here you are reading about audacious hope.  After years of searching in my own life to find something meaningful, I can say that I have truly found a place of audacious hope.

Your only requirement is to open your heart to the possibility.  You are welcome at any point to stop reading, to disagree, and to stop visiting this blog.  That is the great thing about personal ideals, you are free to believe one thing and reject another.  You get to make that decision.  I am not writing from the perspective of having all the answers, rather from the vantage point of a fellow sojourner.  Come walk with me and thanks again for sharing some of your time with me.

See you next time…Sojourner13