Hope

I had my International Relations class today and I don't think I have ever heard that many large or convoluted terms used in such a short time before. Neo-liberal Institutionalism? Functional Integration? Transnationalism and Complex Interdependence? If you want to poke needles in your eyes just reading those words, try three hours of it.

Despite this rather discouraging class that made me feel like I was studying Greek rather than political science, I am really looking forward to learning more in this class. After we master (or probably misconstrue in my case) political theory, we are going to be looking at global issues such as AIDS, global warming, terrorism and poverty and how the international community has either effectively or in most cases, ineffectively dealt with the issues at hand.

Examining these topics is a constant reminder of the crooked and depraved nature of humanity and the world in which we live. God’s perfect intentions for creation have been so destroyed that it often seems we can only ask ourselves “Where is God?” It is easy to feel hopeless and pessimistic about the state in which the world currently lies.

It is understandable that in the midst of so many global crises, Christians may find themselves under this overarching sense of despair. However, this attitude prevents a true understanding of our God. He is a redemptive God that is not constrained by the injustice of this world. It may not always be obvious why injustice occurs, but we have to remove God from our boxes and recognize that he is beyond our limited comprehension of the world. Christianity is fundamentally hopeful and a better day is coming. The sooner we recognize this, the sooner we will see the hope that is present today in the midst of darkness, small manifestations of the glory that is to come. God does not confine his promise of hope to the future but allows us to catch glimpses of it each day.

I believe that as Christians we need to be a more hope-filled people. Too often we focus on the negativities of the world, filling us with cynicism and preventing us from recognizing tangible opportunities for change. By prescribing to this outlook, we are failing to live up to our potential in modeling Christ to the world. We cannot accurately portray the good news of Jesus if we don’t believe that there is in fact goodness in the news. Instead of only adding to the darkness with our pessimism, we must renew our sense of hope so as to bring light to the shadows.

It is for these reasons that I am glad I am taking International Relations here at Redeemer. There is a recognition that God is control of every area of life and though we may not understand his plans, he is the Lord in both joy and sorrow. Even as I learn about the troubles of our times, I am confident that I will be reminded of the hope of God that will always remain.