RMBC Member Stories

Defending Hope

Human beings can live on scarce resources and in dire circumstances, but we can’t

live without hope. Hope is essentially the belief that our future will be better than

our past. When we are sick, we hope for a future of health and wellness, when we

are poor we hope for a future of prosperity, and when we are alone, we hope for a

future with friends and family. Perhaps our deepest hope is to be relieved of our

finitude. We all know that our bodies are finite and perishable. But the good news

of the gospel is that there is another realm beyond this world that is imperishable,

where death, decay and suffering have no place. But what if this hope in a future

life is nothing more than wishful thinking? What gives us the right to believe such

things? The resurrection and ascension of Jesus is the biblical basis for this hope,

but there are other reasons as well to believe that this life isn’t all there is. The

principle of conservation of energy suggests that things, including consciousness,

can’t just disappear. All things change, including who and what we are, but can

you conceive of yourself just disappearing? When the light goes out and our eyes

grown dim, perhaps it does literally “go out” into some other realm. Finally, the

near universality of belief in a future life gives hope to many. It would be a cruel

cosmic joke for this near universal belief to be based on a lie. – Christopher Simon

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the

reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

1 Peter 3:15

Giving Up on Self-Help

The self-help section is one of the largest sections in most bookstores. But the fact

that there is no end to the publishing of books on a variety of self-help topics, from

dieting and money management to relationships and careers, suggests that the

advice given isn’t terribly effective. If self-help books really helped, wouldn’t

there be an end to it, or perhaps even just one big, final edition of the Last Self-

Help Book? David Brooks suggests in his book “The Road to Character” that the

problem with the notion of self-help is relying on ourselves. We keep falling back

on the same method, which is to think that we solve our own problems. To quote

the comic strip character Pogo, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” Human

resourcefulness and resilience are impressive, but they can only go so far in

solving our problems. God’s resourcefulness, on the other hand, is infinite,

because His is the world and its fullness. Our resources are limited; God’s are

unlimited. The danger of relying too much on your own resources is that, to quote

C.S. Lewis, “You may forget that you are at every moment totally dependent on

God.” So throw out all those self-help books and ask God to help you out. He’s

always there and He is your best hope. – Christopher Simon

“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2

NIV

The Excitement of a Challenge

I was recently involved in a situation at work where we were given some

potentially bad news; there was serious concern over whether the school where I

teach would stay open. While there was initially much expression of concern, the

mood soon turned positive, and I detected beneath the surface even a hint of

excitement. It reminded me a bit of what happens when there is a snow day and

we all get the day off. But, that clearly wasn’t it, for almost everybody had some

concern over the possibility of losing their job. I think what was getting everyone

excited was the prospect of a challenge. While not wanting to minimize the human

suffering which is caused by natural or manmade disasters, there is something in us

that loves a challenge, and especially one where we are called on to help our fellow

man. So, the next time you are faced with a challenge, rise to the occasion and look

on the bright side; facing and overcoming this challenge just might make you a

better person. – Christopher Simon

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are

with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Our Divided Lives

Human beings have one foot in heaven and one planted firmly on earth. Our daily

need for food and water along with our bodily functions keep us firmly embedded

in the earthly realm. But the awareness of eternity transports our minds and spirits

beyond the earthly realm. We see that our bodies are finite, but we can easily

imagine the infinite in both space and time. Weare also divided morally. Our

human or animal selves naturally return evil, seeking revenge when someone has

harmed us and feeling satisfied when wrongdoers suffer, but we all know that there

is a higher realm of justice where mercy and compassion override our natural

tendency for revenge, and where even wrongdoers might be reconciled to God.

There is no way to escape either aspect of our divided self. So long as we have

bodies we are chained to their animal functions, but so long as we have a soul we

are cognizant of the voice of God, continually reminding us that there is another

realm, a higher realm and our true cosmic home. We should take care of the body,

it is a gift from God, and we should listen to our conscience, it is the voice of God

within us. – Christopher Simon

“May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest

heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.”

Psalm 115:15-16