“The message is clear: history belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being. This is not simply a religious statement. It is also true of Communists or capitalists or anarchists as it is of Christians. The future belongs to whoever can envision a new and desirable possibility, which faith then fixes upon as inevitable.
This is the politics of hope. Hope envisages its future and then acts as if that future is now irresistible, thus helping to create the reality for which it longs.
The future is not closed. There are fields of forces whose actions are somewhat predictable. But how they will interact is not. Even a small number of people, firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations, can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors, who call out of the future the longed-for new present. In the New Testament, the name and texture and aura of that future is God’s domination-free order, the reign of God…
Walter Wink
Afterthought: This is exactly why knowing that we evolve is critical. Knowing that we evolve means knowing what kind of future should be, can be, and eventually will be, and moving up the schedule.
What a fantastic quote. Thanks, Mike.
Posted by: Ryan | January 18, 2013 at 10:30 PM
"Hope envisages its future and then acts as if that future is now irresistible, thus helping to create the reality for which it longs."
This is beautiful. And it occurs to me that it's universally possible for people of any age or ability. Openness is the only requirement.
Posted by: Erin Wilson | January 19, 2013 at 09:51 PM
I love it.........especially the active verbal phrase "believe the future into being."
Without doubt prayer and belief arise from hope otherwise what on earth is the point in praying?
One great verse Bruxy passed on one Sunday regarding HOPE and remains a foundational key to what remains of my LIFE is Rom.15:13:
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the the Holy Spirit." Here's to hope-based abundant living! DT
Posted by: Dave | January 22, 2013 at 12:57 AM