There is No Hope

In the HBO Award-winning series, Band of Brothers, shortly after D-Day, a private is having problems coming to grips with the violence and death and his desire to live in the midst of war. His lieutenant comes up and begins talking to him, (paraphrased) "Blythe, do you know what your problem is? You still think there is hope. You won't become effective until you realize the truth; there is no hope."

People looking for the meaning of life, the truth of the gospel, the essence of Christianity (or Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) still think there is hope in their efforts. The truth is, there is no hope that exists for this world, or those in it, based on anything here. There is no ritual, no meeting place, no movement of God, no prayer, no charity, no greater purpose, no impact on the world, no destiny to be accomplished in order to get to heaven.

Everyone I know who has hope, has come to the end of themselves--the end of trying to do all the right things--to find that hope was never in if they were "good enough". In comparison to being good enough, they are worthless. There is always one more thing that needs to be done, one more good act to be performed, one more sin to be avoided, one more sin to be repented of. They found that there is no hope in the game of keeping score.

Previous Comments:

The blog is back! Hurray!:)

Good stuff, Harry........
Posted by Mickey on November 14, 2003 at 03:15:02 AM

Hi Bill!

Just reading through your last couple of month's writings. I sure haven't kept up, huh? I'm praying for you.

Angie
Posted by Angie on November 14, 2003 at 03:47:34 AM

Mickey,

A brief respite. :)

Angie,

No performance requirements here. Read as little or as much as you want at your leisure. Good to hear from you!
Posted by HarryTick on November 14, 2003 at 12:32:54 PM

Hello Bill!

Excellent stuff of true life, my friend. :) My thoughts are with you.

Jim
Posted by the shovel on November 15, 2003 at 09:14:56 AM

Hi Son,

I have an elderly neighbor who lives downstairs. She never had any children and I am sure as a defensive mechanism, whe is always saying how glad she is she never had them. At first I took offense until I realized how lonely she is and that it is a defensive mechanism. It made me realize, if I did not before, how blessed I am to have my children and how much I would have missed by not having them. It made me want to tell you how thankful I am for you, my eldest, for your thoughtful ways and your good heart and your love of God. I'm a proud mom, what can I say?

Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom on November 20, 2003 at 03:06:18 PM

Dear Mom,

I can tell you for myself & I know for other's ... we're glad you had him too! ;)
Posted by MsTick on November 23, 2003 at 10:19:39 AM