What Is Hope?

I had the awesome opportunity to talk with a student from last year. She went to fellowship with us along with another friend of hers. The Teacher talked about how we should seek harmony above money and a job. "Harmony" is the key word for anything in Chinese culture. "Harmony" is where it's at. "Seek Harmony with the Father and with each other" they explained as we began the journey back to school. "How do we seek the harmony/get the harmony?" I asked as the words came out of my mouth before fully processing it.

Silence.

I dont know. They conferred in Chinese and came back with their collective answer. We don't know. The Teacher didn't say. He said the cross brings harmony...but how?

It was really cool to get to ask questions that continued to help them process. Then explain that J is the one who brought harmony. "But how?" They continued to seek. We (Ashley and I) got to tag team it and explain from previous conversations about how we're in an argument with the Father and the Son is the mediator (it's how Chinese do conflict resolution - always a mediator, never direct confrontation - works well to explain the Son.) "Oh, so He took the punishment because of our argument with the Father, so that there can now be harmony? Oh. So now we don't have punishment?"

"If you believe and accept it", we explained. Ashley continued, "Love is two ways, I can love you but you have to receive it. If you dont then you wont get it."

It was awesome to see her track along.

At lunch time Ashley and the other student had to leave so it was just myself and this other student. She brought up a question I had asked her last year, "What is hope? You asked me this before and I didn't know the answer. I still dont know. I want to know." I forgot I had asked but she remembered and the Spirit had kept it alive in her head. "I want to know. Will you tell me what hope is?"

I was able to explain the good news to her explained how hope is trusting in one that you know will come through because He has before and promises to always do.  She went on to explain how sometimes she feels lonely and left out. How she's kind of accepted that this is the way life is. That didn't sit well with me and I began to question that. (More in the next blog entry "We all know of Eden.")  She asked what kind of life I wanted. I explained it didn't really matter where I was at, but I wanted the people around me and everyone I met to know that they were loved and had value because the Father loved them and there was hope. "It's fantastic to know that someone loves you. Ashley always tells me 'G loves you and I love you.' I really like that."

We discussed more and in the end I asked her so, "What is hope?" She replied with an answer that I believe explains her Spiritual walk also, "Hope is a light. It's a tiny light, but if you can see it, it's still there." She was describing the light that she could see at a distance and was beginning to go towards it. I asked "So, what is the light?" She responded that the Teacher said "G is the light. That maybe in hard times or when you face some troubles, you can talk to the G and he will give you some advice and suggestions and comfort you."

"Well put," I thought. "Wait, is that the light for me or for you?"

"For you!" she replied with an obviously overtone.

"What is it for you?"

"I dont know yet. I'm still searching to see what it is."


"Maybe one day you'll find that the light is the same. 


"Maybe."

Grateful for the chance to talk and to share and to share it with you. Thanks for the prs and continued support. It's time for the final kick and He is strong.