Shared vision of hope would be powerful force for good

Faith Matters is a tremendous contribution to this community. In reviewing the contributors, we are from different faith communities, hold different stations, and yet consistently, without collaboration, offer hope, challenge evil, and promote love.

In this holiday season of 2023, I believe that by no accident or coincidence we are all called to minister. We minister in the world just by how we conduct our lives. Faith matters because it fuels our individual life paths. We who have access to this medium just have a different platform than most. It is wonderful how the contributors take pride in their submissions and contributions.

What if we all intentionally acknowledge the power of faith and expressed it in a manner to advance a collective end? What might that look like, especially with a global contribution as the goal? Please indulge this consideration with me for a few moments.

A universal adoption of faith based on a vision of hope for the world, regardless of religion, denomination, theology, or practice, would be a powerful force for good. Such a faith, grounded in the practice that all people are equal and we have the responsibility to care for one another, could change the world. The planet would be safe and people would be safe as well. Individual or personal gain would not be the primary consideration.

If everyone were to embrace this type of faith, it would be possible to achieve world peace. People would be compassionate, understanding, and willing to work together to solve the world’s problems. We would be less likely to engage in conflict. There would be a universal understanding that future generations are at stake, so we would be more likely to seek peaceful solutions to disputes.

A universal adoption of faith, based on hope, would also help to create a greater sense of community and belonging. People would feel connected with one another and responsible for something greater than themselves. We would be more likely to help one another and create a better world.

Of course, achieving a universal adoption of faith is easier said than done. It would require a fundamental shift in the way we think about ourselves, each other, and the world at large. It would require that we let go of our differences and focus on what we have in common. It would require us to be openminded and willing to learn from one another.

If we can achieve this type of faith, it would be one of the greatest gifts for current days and for future generations. It would create a world that is peaceful, compassionate, and just. It would be a world where everyone thrives and lives with purpose and meaning.

While achieving this type of faith is a challenging, it is a goal worth striving for. I honestly do not believe we need another pandemic or another war to bring us to our knees to get our collective attention. We could work together to create a world that is filled with hope, love, and peace without having to go through trauma.

So, thank you for indulging in these dreams. Some may judge this as a childish Pollyanna type fantasy. If nothing else, the hope is to inspire all who contribute articles here, all who read those items, and all who benefit from sharing dreams like this. Those who engage with Faith Matters are inspired to explore unconventional ideas that have the potential to save the world. The closest we come, in one opinion, is in this holiday season, when we all show a little faith that is certainly fueled by a vision of hope. Hope is reflected in the lights of the season. In the lights, I encourage you to look for the hope. You can fuel your faith with the hope of the season, and that is truly what matters.

Bailey