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Life becomes much easier when you focus on survival. Food, water, shelter, health, and preferably the warm embrace of a loved one. That's what we really need.
If we're lucky enough to have all of this, I think you'll agree that we have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.
But what if less obvious, less material, and little-recognized factors are just as important to human survival? Traveling to more than 50 countries and responding to wars and natural disasters I believe it is possible, based on my experience as a faith-based leader who has mobilized churches for the purpose of:
A less obvious element is hope. If we truly understood its power, we would package it and stuff it into every survival kit around the world.
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Indeed, for Christians around the world, the focus of this Sunday of Advent, December 1st, is hope, which was a vital part of the angel's announcement to the shepherds of the birth of Christ.
Luke 2:9-12 says, “The angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. “I will bring it.'' Today a Savior was born in the city of David. He is the Messiah, the Lord. ”
At that time, shepherds were outcasts, poor, and oppressed. Their lives were difficult and there was little to look forward to. But the fact that God chose to reveal the birth of Christ to them gave them hope. And this news caused the shepherds to take action.
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I have personally witnessed how hope triumphs over the human spirit. People can survive anything. As long as they have hope. Hope gives humans a certain expectation that better days are coming. This allows us to rise above the water instead of below it and emerge victorious through the tidal waves of life.
Consider Chimney Rock, North Carolina, as a very recent example.
In September, Hurricane Helen's heavy rains caused devastating flooding in Chimney Rock and throughout Appalachia. The road has been washed away. Homes and businesses were flooded. Residents in remote areas were literally cut off from civilization, and a staggering 126,000 homes were damaged.
Remember today. If you walk down Main Street in Chimney Rock, you'll see that most of the businesses that were still standing are still boarded up. But a peek inside reveals a flurry of activity.
The town is alive with a brilliant orchestra that nails the action. A new two-by-four frame has been erected and the damaged interior has already been replaced with clean drywall.
As Chimney Rock Mayor Pete O'Leary recently said, “There's constant construction, constant cleaning, constant road traffic with dump trucks and large vehicles. We've been hit hard and it's hard to get back on our feet.” needs a lot of help. We are very hopeful that help will be provided soon.”
Did you notice that he said “full of hope”? It is something we all desperately need in times of adversity.
CityServe's team works in the five-state area affected by the storm, with a particular focus on western North Carolina and Chimney Rock. We mobilized chainsaw crews to clear debris and set up aid stations to distribute food and water. He also helped coordinate the delivery of a special shipment that Ivanka Trump brought to North Carolina: 300 StarLink devices requested by President-elect Trump and provided by Elon Musk. These were distributed to first responders and used to recontact residents who had lost communication.
But I would argue that Ivanka's arrival, and the arrival of many other philanthropists and charities, may have brought about something even more important, albeit less visible. They brought hope. Residents of North Carolina's wild and beautiful rolling hills knew they were not forgotten. It helped maintain their hope.
To be clear, there is a lot of work left and countless repairs still needed. Mayor O'Leary expects Chimney Rock's Main Street to reopen this spring.
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But what I can say here is that even in the face of heartbreak and devastation, Chimney Rock will eventually emerge bigger and better than ever. How can we be so sure?
Because while it is true that many have lost loved ones, homes, and jobs, their hope lives on. If you think your kids won't be able to celebrate the holidays this year because of Helen, think again.
This Christmas, why not take a look at all the things our blessed people have to be thankful for? Let's start with the resilient residents of Chimney Rock. Their hopeful spirit in the wake of devastating floods is a shining example for us all. With the help of friends and neighbors, they're putting their community back together one nail, one drywall section, and one plywood slab at a time.
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For the shepherds of the first Christmas, the Lord sought to reveal Himself to those who needed the good news most. So as Americans help those who need it most right now, we are learning an important lesson about hope this Christmas. We are learning that no matter the hurdles, hope is always possible.
May the people of Chimney Rock be a lesson to us all. Their patience shows that as long as the light of hope shines brightly, nothing can stop a people blessed by providence and equipped with the spirit to endure.
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