Finding Hope and Goodness in Every Moment
Summary
Embrace the present moment, for it is a gift from God. Let go of the past with its regrets and sorrows, and open your heart to the goodness that surrounds you. In the creation story of Genesis, we repeatedly encounter the phrase "it was good," highlighting the inherent goodness of God's creation. This goodness is not just about functionality but also about beauty and purpose. The world, as God created it, was good, even if not perfect. This goodness extends to our lives today, despite the brokenness and chaos we may experience.
Theologians like Roger Briggs and John Walton remind us that the ancient concern was not about the material origins of the universe but about how chaos became functional. The goodness of creation is akin to a checklist on a plane, ensuring everything works as it should. However, the presence of chaos and imperfection in Genesis suggests that life was not perfect, but it was good. This goodness is a reminder that our lives, too, are worth living.
Science can explain how things work, but it cannot answer the philosophical question of whether life is worth living. The Bible, however, affirms that life is good. This message is crucial, especially in a world where many struggle with depression and despair. Philosopher Clancy Martin, who has battled depression and suicidal thoughts, emphasizes that simply telling people to live is not enough. They need a new spirit, a new hope.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian who faced immense suffering, wrote that those on the brink of despair cannot be saved by commands but by a new spirit. In moments of deep pain, when all seems lost, a glimmer of hope can appear, as it did for Martin during his darkest times. This hope is a testament to the goodness of life, even amidst suffering.
Today, remember that life is good. You are loved by God, and your existence is meaningful. Whenever you encounter something good, acknowledge it. Whether it's the food you eat, the place you live, or the sunlight you see, recognize the goodness in it. Do not lose hope, for there is meaning and glory in it all.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace the present moment as a gift from God, letting go of past regrets and sorrows. Recognize the inherent goodness in creation, as repeatedly affirmed in Genesis, and understand that this goodness is both functional and beautiful. [00:44]
- The ancient concern was not about the material origins of the universe but about how chaos became functional. The goodness of creation is like a checklist ensuring everything works as it should, reminding us that life, though imperfect, is inherently good. [02:06]
- Science can explain how things work but cannot answer whether life is worth living. The Bible affirms that life is good, offering hope and meaning, especially to those struggling with depression and despair. [05:22]
- In moments of deep pain, when all seems lost, a glimmer of hope can appear, as it did for Clancy Martin. This hope is a testament to the goodness of life, even amidst suffering, and a reminder that we are loved by God. [08:56]
- Acknowledge the goodness in everyday life, from the food you eat to the sunlight you see. Recognize that your existence is meaningful and that there is glory in the world, even amidst challenges. [10:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:44] - Embrace the Present
- [01:09] - The Goodness of Creation
- [01:53] - The Functionality of Goodness
- [02:43] - Chaos to Functionality
- [03:36] - Imperfection in Genesis
- [04:49] - The World Today
- [05:22] - Science and Philosophy
- [06:07] - The Struggle with Despair
- [07:05] - Bonhoeffer's Insight
- [08:13] - A Glimmer of Hope
- [09:28] - The Beginning of Recovery
- [10:00] - The Reality of Suffering
- [10:32] - Recognizing Goodness
- [10:51] - Meaning and Glory
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1-31 - The Creation Story
2. Genesis 2:18 - "It is not good for the man to be alone."
Observation Questions:
1. In the creation story of Genesis, what phrase is repeated to describe God's creation, and what does this repetition emphasize? [01:09]
2. According to the sermon, what was the ancient concern regarding creation, and how does it differ from modern concerns? [02:43]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that life, though imperfect, is inherently good? [03:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of hope in moments of deep pain and despair? [08:56]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the repeated affirmation of "it was good" in Genesis 1 shape our understanding of the inherent value and purpose of creation? [01:09]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between chaos and functionality in the context of creation, and how might this apply to our lives today? [02:43]
3. How does the sermon address the limitations of science in answering the question of whether life is worth living, and what alternative does it offer? [05:22]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing the goodness in everyday life can impact our sense of meaning and hope? [10:32]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent moment when you felt overwhelmed by past regrets or sorrows. How can you practice embracing the present moment as a gift from God? [00:44]
2. Identify an area of your life where you perceive chaos. How can you work towards finding functionality and goodness in that area, as suggested by the creation story? [02:43]
3. Have you ever struggled with the question of whether life is worth living? How can the affirmation of life's goodness in the Bible provide hope and meaning in such times? [05:22]
4. Think of a time when you experienced deep pain or despair. What role did hope play in your journey through that experience, and how can you cultivate hope in your current circumstances? [08:56]
5. Make a list of everyday things you encounter that are good, such as food, sunlight, or a place to live. How can acknowledging these good things enhance your sense of gratitude and purpose? [10:32]
6. Consider someone in your life who may be struggling with despair. How can you offer them a new spirit of hope and encouragement, as suggested by the sermon? [07:05]
7. What specific steps can you take this week to recognize and celebrate the goodness in your life, even amidst challenges? [10:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Present as a Divine Gift
Embracing the present moment is an invitation to recognize it as a divine gift, a chance to let go of past regrets and sorrows. The creation story in Genesis repeatedly affirms the inherent goodness of God's creation, emphasizing that this goodness is not only functional but also beautiful and purposeful. This perspective encourages us to see the world, despite its imperfections, as inherently good. By focusing on the present, we open our hearts to the goodness that surrounds us, allowing us to experience life more fully and meaningfully. [00:44]
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34, ESV)
Reflection: What is one regret or sorrow from your past that you can release today to fully embrace the present moment as a gift from God?
Day 2: Chaos Transformed into Functionality
The ancient concern was not about the material origins of the universe but about how chaos became functional. The goodness of creation is likened to a checklist ensuring everything works as it should, reminding us that life, though imperfect, is inherently good. This perspective helps us understand that the presence of chaos and imperfection does not negate the goodness of life. Instead, it highlights the transformative power of God's creation, turning chaos into functionality and purpose. [02:06]
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints," (1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of chaos in your life. How can you invite God to transform it into something functional and purposeful today?
Day 3: The Bible's Affirmation of Life's Worth
While science can explain how things work, it cannot answer the philosophical question of whether life is worth living. The Bible, however, affirms that life is good, offering hope and meaning, especially to those struggling with depression and despair. This message is crucial in a world where many face mental health challenges, reminding us that life is inherently valuable and worth living. The affirmation of life's goodness provides a foundation of hope and purpose, even in difficult times. [05:22]
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself today that your life is inherently valuable and worth living, despite any struggles you may face?
Day 4: Hope Amidst Suffering
In moments of deep pain, when all seems lost, a glimmer of hope can appear, as it did for Clancy Martin. This hope is a testament to the goodness of life, even amidst suffering, and a reminder that we are loved by God. Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer emphasized that those on the brink of despair cannot be saved by commands but by a new spirit. This new spirit, a gift from God, can bring hope and renewal even in the darkest times. [08:56]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt hopeless. How can you seek and recognize a glimmer of hope in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Recognizing Everyday Goodness
Acknowledging the goodness in everyday life, from the food you eat to the sunlight you see, is a practice of recognizing that your existence is meaningful and that there is glory in the world, even amidst challenges. This practice encourages us to be mindful of the small blessings and moments of beauty that surround us daily. By doing so, we cultivate a spirit of gratitude and awareness of God's presence in our lives, reinforcing the belief that life is inherently good. [10:32]
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small blessing or moment of beauty you can acknowledge and give thanks for today?
Quotes
Embrace this day for this is God's gift to you take a deep breath, lift up your heart, and join with me in this wonderful moment as we find the presence of God the sacred and everything, and what I have for you today is a single word two words if you want it's refrain that Echoes over and over again in Genesis. [00:46:44]
The word that comes up over and over and over and over again in the Book of Genesis is that creation is good. Roger Briggs, Theologian in the United Kingdom, and he says this idea of good has both the notion of function it works and also Aesthetics that it is pleasing to the eyes pretty good it's pretty good. [00:126:29]
John Walton writes a lot about how primarily the the Hebrew story of creation and people's concern for creation in that day was not so much how did matter come into existence that's what we think about a lot it's um how did chaos become functional so to be good was up it works it works it works it works. [00:155:36]
Interestingly over time a lot of people have the notion that life as it's described in Genesis 1 is perfect but the text doesn't say that and there's little hints to it that say it might not have been for one thing there's chaos back then in verse two, um unformed unfilled tohuwa bohu. [00:219:48]
The world in Genesis 1 was good and part of the point of that is this world even though now we live in a fallen world is a world that we are to embrace in a world that as God made it was good now science cannot tell us this science can tell us a lot about how things work but. [00:305:22]
Science cannot answer that question, it's just matter what form it takes, um science is neutral about but Genesis is not neutral it is good and that means that your life is a good thing and worth living so your word for today is good I have been reading a book by a philosopher Clancy Martin called. [00:344:58]
Existence is good it is very good that there is such a thing as life it is very good that there are human beings that's not neutral we know you know better even with the pain and suffering in our midst, but he writes about his own struggle to believe that life can be good. [00:387:08]
A man who is desperate cannot be saved by a law that appeals to his own strengths such Allah will only drive him to even more hopeless despair, a man can no longer a man who can no longer live is not helped by any command that he should live, but only by a new spirit. [00:429:36]
One day, when I was in the grip of that worst episode of depression some months after quitting drinking I was walking home from the University, my depression had been getting worse each day now it was so bad I could no longer talk to anyone about it, my friend's complete inability to understand what I was suffering made it even worse. [00:456:66]
From who knows where, the clouds inside me parted and the sun appeared, it was not much sun, just a few beams of sunlight, but suddenly I could walk again, and I started to cry, and that was the real beginning of my recovery, which continues today. [00:553:38]
Light is good, Earth is good, sun is good, life is good filled with pain I know I was reading this week that now young teenage girls in the most recent study 30 percent of them have serious considerations of suicide up from 19 just a few years ago it is heartbreaking and heart aching. [00:588:83]
Anytime you're able to name something that is good when God gets to the climax of creation after he makes human beings Somebody Like You In His Image it's not just good it's very good, food is good anytime you see something that works, for your body to work that is good. [00:622:62]
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