Is It The Hope That Kills You?

There is a sort of intellectual agnosticism that has a problem with some expressions of faith.

It is not outright atheism because it is not so committed to ruling out divine influences. Its content knowing that there’s things beyond its understanding. Maybe there’s divinity somewhere, maybe not, but they don’t get hung up on it.

What they do find fascinating is how they witness people giving their money and devoting their time to something that appears so inconsequential. For them there doesn’t appear to be that much of a difference in the lives they live. Bills still have to be paid. Relationships still need to be enjoyed and endured. Ups and downs affect everyone the same way. So why do these folks seemingly give up a lot – including opportunities to have fun – for the sake of what? A relieved conscience? Conforming to some organisational norms and values? And with what – an offer of some better life after you’re dead? Or perhaps a convoluted notion that you can get a materially prosperous life here and now if you go through the right procedures with the right attitude?

For all the episodes of people who seem to do well from it all, there appears to be so many more who never see anything like that comfort or security. They go through a life that seems so hard and carry on with these rituals and life just doesn’t seem to be getting better. Then a lot of them appear to die ‘happy’ but were they? Are they?

This perspective leads to the thought that perhaps rather than whatever faith they have giving them something meaningful to hold onto. Maybe it’s that hope that saps the life from them.

I think that’s a perspective worth addressing – and addressing that is something that isn’t just about a written testimony …

(Photo by Keegan Houser on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden