OPINION: In times like these, where lies hope?

When the voices of evil grow louder and bolder, their arrogance drowning out commonsense, compassion and empathy, where lies hope? 

When truth, integrity and civility appear to be falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of irrelevance, where lies hope? 

Where lies hope when abuse of the law is used to satisfy vengeance and retaliation by targeting those who dare to speak out against the tyranny of injustice, in an effort to silence their voices? 

When wrongdoing is rubberstamped by those ethically and morally bound – by nature of their professions, to be objective and uphold the law, but instead relinquish their authority to a perceived power capable of granting transient favor, where lies hope? 

Hope does NOT lie in passive acquiescence to wrong, believing that it affects “them” and not us. 

Nor does hope lie in the hate that can evolve from frustration over unfair treatment, and the mistaken belief that the only way to achieve justice and power is to imitate the tactics of those who seek to oppress. 

Instead, Hope lies in faith in God that is fueled by memories of recalled history and fulfillment of promises, which remind us that God is still God in spite of what we see, hear and experience. 

Hope lies in the power that is available to us as we put on the “whole armor of God” which empowers us to stand amidst seemingly insurmountable odds, and imbues us with God’s strength, wisdom and direction. 

Hope lies in the fortitude, resilience and pervading sense of right and wrong that is the foundation of who God is, and who we are in Him. 

May we never forget to remember that our hope lies in the faithfulness, power and love of the one who created the universe, the one who created us all. Our hope lies in God, who will have the final say. 

Let us hold onto our faith and the hope that sustains us. 

– Anita L. Dottes