The Undeniable Power of Hope and Life

Late one night Major General Pickett was on the battlefield when he received word that his wife had given birth to a son. The Confederate soldiers began to light bonfires up and down the ravine to honor the news.

On the other side Grant watched as the flames were lit. Sending some men to find out what was going on they returned with the good news. Grant had been longtime friends with Pickett, and ordered the Union soldiers to light fires in celebration as well.

For many miles the fires burned that night, no shots were fired, no lives ended in battle, and for a few brief hours the darkness receded in light of the birth of a child.

Cleveland minister Alistair Begg shares, “Our witness – good or bad – is the overflow of our lives.” It is also true that our lives are the overflow of our beliefs, which are largely determined by our consistent thoughts. And one of the most powerful thoughts is to have hope.

A few years ago disk jockey Liz Curtis Higgs engaged her every selfish whim. One day Howard Stern told her, “You need to get your life together.” She was surprised her behavior received rebuke from the popular host, known for his own wild antics.

In the past she had been badly burned by a number of romantic relationships, and had all but lost trust in men. A friend who seemed to have a peace about her life repeatedly invited Liz to come to a worship service. Looking for answers anywhere, Liz agreed to go with her friend, once.