hope... not blind optimism

i am currently reading a book by peter j. gomes entitles, 'the scandalous gospel of jesus'. in this book gomes says, 'dietrich bonhoeffer once warned against cheap grace, and i warn now against cheap hope. hope is not merely the optimistic view that somehow everything will turn out all right in the end if everyone just does as we do. hope is the more rugged, the more muscular view that even if things don't turn out all right and aren't all right, we endure through and beyond the times that disappoint or threaten to destroy us'.

a very strong point that gomes makes is by asking the question: how do we live in the world while not conforming to the world? its a hard question to ask much less answer in the space of history we now reside. especially as we look at our political climate and the way in which religion always seems to be in the mix of politics not really for the reason of sharing the gospel but more for how religiosity can sway a certain kind of vote. so what is faith and politics supposed to look like?

i know that my faith strongly influences my choices especially in the arena of politics and not always for all the same reasons it influences other christians, but today i stand extremely excited about the results of the iowa caucus. seeing obama take the lead with 38% of the support is very encouraging indeed. i am excited to hear about someone who is ready to tackle the issues of affordable health care, the war on iraq and other issues that have been skirted around for some time. but mostly what i heard in obama's speech is this idea of hope not blind optimism where people come together to work towards a just end. that is something i can get on board with... you got me obama. i have hope.