Tuesday, April 1, 2008
2 Corinthians 4:8 ". . . we are perplexed, but not in despair."
WORDS NOT FOUND IN THE EASTER DICTIONARY: DESPAIR
As noted yesterday, new dictionaries include many words not found in older editions. One word recognized now by Merriam-Webster is the word "supersize." Just the mention of that word probably makes you hungry for an extra large order of fries.
But it's not just supersized food that we find in today's world. We see sadness and pain in supersized proportions. Supersized sadness is what is known as despair. Despair is defined as "the loss of hope, hopelessness."
The day in which we live has been referred to as the post-modern era. Postmodernism says there are no fixed truths -- nothing dependable or trustworthy upon which to build one's life. Look around -- this thinking is found everywhere: in our public schools, in the movies, in art and literature, even in the attitudes of many of your friends and acquaintances.
No wonder the world around us is in despair. If there are no fixed stars to give it lasting hope, what is life but mere existence, brief and meaningless? The culture tries to cover up its inner pain with big bank accounts, wild parties, and an unquenchable mania for fun and games. But it's not fooling anyone. Look into the eyes of your friends and acquaintances. Can't you see the hollowness of people living for nothing beyond themselves? Of people facing the horror of their own mortality?
Postmodernism and its companion despair are not modern at all. Pilate expressed its basic premise when he asked Jesus: "What is truth?" Paul quoted the cynical poet: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
But in that world of 2000 years ago hope came alive. Christ came alive from the grave, lifting the world out of the shadow of death and despair. Easter is still the solid ground for a life of true meaning. It gives us something to live for beyond our own selfish interests. Now we are free to live for the God Who died and rose for us all. Easter gives us the guaranteed hope of endless life tomorrow, free from all sin and sorrow. How can we be in despair when the power of the grave has been forever vanquished by a living Redeemer? These fixed truths are more than enough to supersize our joy, now and forever!
