WITHOUT GOD, WITHOUT HOPE
With bold confidence, strong conviction, passion, and compassion, I, Fred Crowell, proclaim without God and His hope, I have no firepower to beat cancer, nothing but anger about CV-19, and deep sorrow for the current hardships facing the world in 2020. Overwhelmed!
Those who know me well have witnessed hard work, a never-quit attitude, effort to be an honorable person, careful forethought in making wise decisions, love of my family. I believe God would tell you I have given life my best shot, just like millions of other people. Yet these are not enough to escape the hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes of cancer, the pandemic, and political disunity. Unprecedented times.
Another example I know is “Dick and Jane” (fictitious names). They worked hard for over 30 years; built a very successful family business including 6 restaurants, sizeable auto sale companies, and commercial rental property. Bang, boom, crash. All these businesses have been impacted severely by the pandemic shutdown. No cautionary warning, no time to prepare. Business expenses continue despite the shutdown of restaurants, employees not working, renters unable to pay rent.
Personally, without God and hope, I have no future. Even with the RPE (the relentless pursuit of excellence), I admonish our NBC campers, the walls appear too high to climb for my cancer, and this summer’s shutdown of our 49-year-old summer camps. All beyond my control. I need God right here, right now.
Daily these Words of Hope have lifted me beyond today’s circumstances to God’s love, forgiveness, kindness, joy, contentment, peace, and hope. We are also spiritual beings who then also need spiritual attributes. In today’s world, two well-known thoughts continue to inspire me:
- “If it weren’t for Christians, everyone would be a Christian.” – Mahatma Ghandi
- “Make sure your deeds match your words,” was often forcefully spoken by St. Francis of Assisi.
Personally, years ago I was injured by some Christian advocates who did not display what they preached. Not until I looked to Jesus, and Him alone, did I find His HOPE in my life.
Sometimes we just run out of hope. When we do, where can we find hope? Hebrews 6:19-20 gives us the answer: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.”
The anchor has one purpose; this is to steady the boat. You and I need a good anchor. Why? Because we have a valuable vessel. It is our soul. This anchor for the soul is set, not on a boat or a person or circumstances or health or possessions. It is set in “the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” This means the very throne of God. CV-19, cancer, death, failure, disappointment, N O T H I N G, can take away my hope because they cannot take away my Jesus. It is well with my soul. It will be worth it all.
