Stay Hopeful - How to Change the World, pt. 3

Bryan Stevenson

I was so fortunate to get to hear Bryan Stevenson speak at Davidson College on January 28. Just the previous week Heather and I went to see Just Mercy (imdb), the movie based on Stevenson's life work through the Equal Justice Initiative to pursue social justice for falsely imprisoned and unfairly sentenced juveniles and people of color.

The event at Davidson filled up the original venue and then sold-out the basketball arena. He spoke to the gathered crowd on the topic: "How to Change the World." From what I've come to learn about his life, if anyone has the clout and experience to speak to such a lofty topic, Stevenson does. He shared four points, all after framing his work in his own faith and desire to "get to higher ground" with the people he works with. I'd like to look at each of his points in a series of posts and draw a connection with the work of the church, which is also in the business (under God's leadership) of changing the world. Here's a short (3 1/2 min.) video summary of his presentation (VIDEO).

How to Change the World, pt. 3: STAY HOPEFUL

Photo by icon0.com from Pexels

If anyone had cause to lose hope, it might be someone like Bryan Stevenson, who works with people who have (in many cases) been wronged and who sometimes do not get justice, even with the involvement of the Equal Justice Initiative (or the fervent prayers and long wait of family and friends). But HOPE was precisely what Stevenson lifted up as one of the essential components of his work and changing the world.

Of all that Stevenson said, this had the most immediate connection to faith; and he did not hide his own faith as a source of inspiration and hope in his own work. Hope points to a rightness, justice, and good purpose to work toward. What a dismal world indeed it would be without hope. You might think that the church would be one of the beacons of hope in the world - in fact, it should be. But all too often these days Christians struggle to be hopeful. Whether it is hopelessness at the pain and need in the world, or the seeming cultural shift away from God and faith, or the dwindling attendance, support, and participation in our churches, we struggle with hopelessness. But what a good word to us all - and particularly to people of faith - to stay hopeful! Indeed, we believe that there is a good God, acting with good purpose, working around us and through us for good. Let us hope and press forward.