HOPE: We definitely need a bigger one !
Autor: Júlio César | Publicado: 2009-03-11T05:27:00-07:00

 In the last months We have seen how fragile the economy structure of this world is, and how it really has frightened a lot of people.  Although we enjoy all the benefities of living in a globalized world, we can't deny that globalization gave the economic crisis the status of an international disaster, almost like a plague to the whole world.While the richest men on earth just got a little less rich, the average men lost (or are really afraid to loose) their jobs, and the poor's situation is even worst.I don't know what caused all these problems, neither I intend to talk about economy.I just want to reflect (and guide people to do the same) about faith, trust and hope.First of all, I can see this crisis as an opportunity to people to think about where they have put their trust: In God in the money (and financial stability) ?That reminds of the words of Jesus Christ about this (Matthew 6:24), do you remember that ?Who are you serving: God or mammon (money) ?If you answered mammon, you are really honest, and you may want to change this situation or you really don't care about it.If you serve mammon and don't care about God at all, you'll have to accept this whole situation (like a puppet), as a slave of something you thought you were the master.And I'd like to tell you one more thing: No matter how rich you are, eventually you are going to die and no money on earth could save you from it.You chose to live a life without hope and faith, so do you know what can happen to you ?A- You could turn into nothing (as you believe so) and someone else will spend all your money, and in a few years no one will remember of you.B- You are going to hell unless you repent from your life of independence and rebellion against God.As Blaise Pascal once said: " Either Christianity is true or it's false......If you bet that it's true, and you believe in God and submit to Him, then if it IS TRUE, you've gained God, heaven, and everything else.If it's false, you've lost nothing, but you've had a good life marked by peace and the illusion that ultimately, everything makes sense.If you bet that Christianity is not true, and it's false, you've lost nothing.But if you bet that it's false, and it turns out to be true, you've lost everything and you get to spend eternity in hell."For those who said that serve God, Why are you so afraid of this crisis ?Isn't the Lord your Shepherd ? (Psalm 23:1)So He takes care of you ! (Matthew 25:32)I could only talk about the necessary hope for waiting for the better days to come, but I don't think it would be enough to describe hope, for it's way beyond this.The true hope exceed the limits of this life !The Word of God says: " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.   The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:18-21) And about Hope, The Lord says in His Word that " For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25)So I'll finish this reflection exhorting you to keep believing in the Lord, not only for the provisions and needs of this life, but waiting for the eternal life.Trust in the Word of God and not on the rumours that only have been causing fear and which the main purpose is to shake people's trust, Because The Lord says: " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." (Luke 21:33-34 )Don't Forget that Jesus said: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)Make sure you built your life on the rock and not on the sand ! (Matthew 7:24-27)May the Lord bless you in the name of Jesus !