Politics of Hope

When did it become unAmerican to be idealistic? When did it become unpatriotic to hope for something better than the way things have always been?

I have not been an avid Obama fan and I wonder about the substance behind some of his idealistic speeches, but I have to wonder why it is that so many attack him on the one thing that he is bringing to a new generation of American voters--hope. I mean, each of the other candidates has raked him over the coals because he is hopeful about changing America. Senator Clinton spoke about how Obama expects angelic choirs to begin to sing and everything will be new again for America. Now, I understand that she is trying to make a distinction between herself and Obama, when there are relatively few differences between their stances on any issue, but I think it is sad when a leader with hope for the future is seen as less than capable of leading because of his hope. True, there are a lot of things that need work--a lot of work, but sometimes people need a little hope in order to face the problems that lie at the door. I think it may be time to be hopeful again.

A couple of Sundays ago we were talking about D. L. Moody and a young minister he met in England while on a preaching crusade. He encouraged the young man to visit him in Chicago, thinking he would never come. Shortly after returning, Moody got word that the young minister was coming for a visit and wanted to preach. Moody, who was going to be out of town during his visit, did not know what to do except allow him to preach once. After returning home, Moody asked his wife what she thought of the young man. She told Moody that the young minister was better than Moody himself. He preached on John 3:16 and focused on God's love rather than the peoples' sinfulness. By the time Moody returned, the young man had been packing in the crowds every night for almost a week never preaching on another text but John 3:16. Moody was alarmed and wanted to put a stop to it, but his wife reminded him that we all know how bad things are. Sometimes we need to be reminded of how good God is and how much He loves us.

I may get grouchy with myself a lot and expect more from myself than from anyone else, but I really want to believe in hope--hope in God, hope for the world, and hope for our nation's place in the world.

"Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."