hope
The psalmist was right. The heavens truly declare the glory of God.
When I saw this rainbow the other day at a neighborhood in Montreal, I saw peace amid a strong wind; I saw a faithful Father who keeps the promise He made in the times of Noah; I saw His grace and mercy painted on the sky blanketing a world full of selfishness and darkness.
Read MoreA few days ago, I woke up to an alarming message from a friend asking for anybody to reach out a young man from the Philippines who posted a disturbing note and images on his Facebook account suggesting a plan to take his own life.
As I rushed to open his page, I saw a familiar face.
I suddenly remembered taking the guy’s graduation photo from a Bible college some years ago. I can barely recall a personal interaction with him other than when he sat in front of my camera and smiled as I took his portrait. It all happened for a split second, but that short moment built some form of connection between me and a man who’s now feeling disconnected from God, hope, and life in general.
Hopelessness is a grave issue. Giving up in life and everything you lived for is a serious phase that needs to be faced—not with our own strength, but by the strength and wisdom from God with the help of a good counsel and genuine compassion from the people around us.
The Bible says, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God knew from the beginning that we all needed one another, or at least another one. He designed us to be social beings. Every day, we engage in either personal or online conversations. We build bridges to people we want to connect with, and great walls against those we choose to avoid.
Golden Gate Bridge opening day, May 27, 1937. (Credit: Prelinger Archives)
On May 27, 1937, a towering suspension bridge in San Francisco famously known as the Golden Gate Bridge was officially opened to the public after four years of construction. Today, it is said that more than ten million tourists visit the “most beautiful and most photographed bridge in the world” every year with an average of 27,000 visitors per day.
San Francisco, January 1, 2023 | Photo by Kevin Lendio
But beyond this powerful steel structure and its undeniable charm lie the broken and devastating stories of lost souls who came to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge.
According to The Times, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most used suicide spot in the world. Within the first seventy-five years after it opened in 1937, an estimated 1,400 bodies were recovered. Some died due to internal fractures after an impact from the fall, while others drowned or did not survive the intense freezing water.
Recently, their local authorities have spent over hundreds of millions of dollars to install suicide nets on the side of the bridge and put up anti-suicide warning signs and special telephones that connect to crisis hotlines.
Wherever we go in the world, no matter how rich or poor the country would be, we can see the global poverty of hope creeping among us. If we’re not careful, we ourselves may fall into the enemy’s pit of deception.
The work of Satan has always been to lie and distract us with the worries of life and influence us to forget the promises of peace and hope that God offers in His Word.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”
As children of God, let us always remember to call on the Father who is able to restore the joy of our salvation when faced with challenges. Don’t ever run to drugs, alcohol, pride, anger, or death for solutions. These worldly ideas of relief are detriment to our mental health, our personal growth and to our spiritual revival. And as believers saved by the grace of God, we should know better about who or where to run to. Enter your closet and take a quiet moment with the Lord as you pour your heart out. Just you and Him.
Talk to a friend, a family member, a pastor, or a mature leader from your local church. A deep heartfelt communication is one of the strong bridges that God built for us to connect with one another.
A man from San Francisco who have died after a jump had left a suicide note that reads, “I'm going to walk to the bridge. If one person smiles at me on the way, I won't jump.” A small gesture of kindness could have made a big difference to this man.
Communication is powerful. Communication can reignite hope. Communication is proof that we are not made to be alone.