When Hope is All We Have

It is impossible for us to predict the future with perfect accuracy, but this doesn’t stop us from dreaming.  I have always been inspired by stories of people who were able to see beyond seemingly impossible circumstances to better days ahead.

Not long ago I was reading a biography of George Washington Carver, the incredibly talented African-American botanist and inventor.  Carver was born into slavery, and separated from his parents at a young age as a result of an unfortunate raid on his German owner’s property.  After the abolition of slavery he was adopted, along with his brother, by the owner his parents used to serve, and was encouraged to pursue an education.  The road to an education was difficult and filled with numerous obstacles put in his path by society, but George Washington Carver persevered.  His legacy and life are now seen as a matter of national pride.

When I read about people who overcome incredible odds to attain a place of influence I ask myself, “What did they see?  How were they able to think differently than many of the people around them and hope for something that was nearly invisible?”

The same could be said about many of the people God has called to lead throughout history.  With a call from God and a promise, they walked through troubles and trials to the life that had been prepared for them.  Of Abraham, the Hebrews writes says, “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”  (Hebrews 11:9)

Some had a glimpse of what might come, but others had nothing to go on but trust in God.  Sometimes, that’s all any of us have.  But fortunately, that is all we need to begin.