Moving Beyond Wishes

There is something magical about putting together a “wish list.” You can let your imagination run wild, think of all the things you like to do and how the right accessory or piece of equipment or item of clothing would magnify your pleasure. Even if you consider that the someone who will be doing the shopping is on a budget, you’re never quite sure how generous they may be feeling; so it’s not that hard to throw constraint to wind and put something on your list that is particularly outlandish.

But wishes are just that: trial balloons you send up to see what might come to you if you open your hands wide enough and leave them out long enough…and maybe, put on a pouty face every now and then for good measure. While there may be a high correlation between what is on your “wish list” and what you find under the tree on Christmas morning, as you mature you begin to understand that there is more at work than your wishes. Indeed, wishes have very limited power.

While the shopping season may be fueled by “wish lists,” Advent is a season for contemplating hope. There may have been a time when you didn’t draw any distinction between “making a wish” and “being filled with hope.” Faith teaches us that hope has the power to sustain and transform—a power that wishes never have.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu replied to someone’s question about Nelson Mandela: “Was he a saint? Not if a saint is entirely flawless. I believe he was saintly because he inspired others powerfully and revealed in his character, transparently, many of God’s attributes of goodness: compassion, concern for others, desire for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.”

I believe Nelson Mandela revealed God’s attributes because he was a man who was filled with hope. That is what gave him great power over his enemies even while they had him locked up in prison. That is what led him to practice reconciliation once he was released. Hope informed his life and transformed a nation.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).