Something amazing came out of a daily meditation that I sent all the way back on September. In response to that meditation which quoted a take on 1 Corinthians 13 by Fr. Richard Rohr. Someone sent me the following text message, “Ur meditation about faith, hope, and love gave me an idea for a great yard sign, which simply says, “Vote for Faith, Hope, and Love.” My immediate response was, “That’s a great idea! Maybe StewMish (our Stewardship and Missions Committee) could sponsor that!!!”
What you see below is the end result of that process – a non-partisan sign that can serve as a witness and reminder of what matters most – faith, hope, and love.
The apostle Paul wrote about the triad of faith, hope, and love in two different letters to early churches which were struggling to survive in the midst of significant crises. He put it this way in 1 Corinthians 13, “Love never fails…These three remain, faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.”
Paul was onto something active and life changing. He wasn’t talking about platitudes or good feelings, but actions driven by the radical spiritual transformation that happens when we are the recipients of God’s mercy and grace unearned, yet freely given. I might have faith that an airplane flies and never board one. Radical faith is purchasing the ticket, boarding the plane, fastening my seat belt, and remaining in my seat as the plane lifts off. I can hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Radical hope is setting the alarm, getting up and dressed and facing the day. I might love my grandchildren from afar. Radical love is gifting them with my presence in both fun and difficult times – when I need to setting boundaries on harmful behavior.
Faith, hope, and love are our radical way in and through this time.
Our yard signs are ready to go, and if you’d like one, please contact the church office at (540) 459-3643 or email at spoffice@shentel.net, or send me an email at kahuanne@gmail.com.
Radical faith, hope, and love ~ Anne
Wayfinding 