Monday, September 11, 2006

Looking to the Hope



"We cannot go back and make a new start, but we can start now to make a new ending."

Faith Builders encouraged us today as we remember Septmeber 11 to also look to the hope that Septmeber 12th brought. As I dwell on the above quote, the words "we can make a new ending" really stand out to me. In light of how the world was changed on September 11, I can focus on the new ending that was started on the 12th. I've already mentioned in this post how a small town made a difference in the lives of stranded passengers. As I think more upon that, what strikes me, is that is not the only place in Canada that diverted planes were sent to. But they stood out because they went beyond the call of duty and became servants of love. (Read here if you missed it he first time.)

And that is how I looked from September 12 to hope. I have faith that goodness and kindness transcends all evil. I have faith that no matter what horror satan would leash upon a people through other people, that there will be those rise above with goodness and kindness. When I think of strangers going beyond putting up people in a gym, and totally putting themselves aside for 3 days and ministering to thousands, wanting nothing in return, I am filled with hope. When I think of the fireman, EMS, and police officers who put themselves aside to rescure whomever they could, I am filled with hope. When I think of the thousands of volunteers who sifted and cleaned even whe they were ready to drop from exhaustion in the hope that maybe one more could be rescued, I am filled with hope. When barriers of denomination are put aside for a common cause of crying out to God, I am filled with hope. Yes, hope that goodness and kindness in this world shall prevail.

And as I turn to God's word, I realize that He is the God of making new endings. He has taken this one life and did not erase my start but He gave me the grace and mercy to make a new ending. And He gives that gift to all. No matter what our start or our middle, that cannot be changed. But we have the chance with Christ, to make a new ending. And from that springs my eternal hope.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13


Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.
II Corintians 5:17


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9 comments:

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

The verses you choose from Scripture are perfect. Very well put! Praise God that in Him alone we have eternal hope!!!!

Barb said...

Beautifully said, Susanne. I have hope too because I truly believe goodness and kindness will win over evil every time.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Amen and Amen. Beautiful post. May God bless America.

Tammy said...

I love that quote...I'm going remember and think on that.
Great post, Susanne!

Roo said...

amen sister!!
nice to meet you.

shalom to your home....

Girl Raised in the South said...

I loved when you said he doesnt erase our start, but he does give us new endings. Often I'd like to erase parts of the past, but which ones - to erase one part might take out something I hold dear. Thankfully he just takes us as we are, then gets busy cleaning us up and setting us on a new path.

Donnetta said...

Hope and a "new ending"... I loved that!

Shalee said...

It's that hope and "new ending" that gets me up in the morning and puts me to sleep at night. It is what challenges me to not be the same person I was yesterday, but to be the reflection of Christ tomorrow. Well said, Susanne.

Girl Raised in the South said...

"He is the God of making new endings" - that should encourage all of us! We don't need to look back, nor wring our hands over right now. He's busy changing us - we just have to show up for the process.