Three small words, but they instill plenty of emotion. They speak volumes on their own and have served as an inspiration for scholars, poets, academics, spiritual leaders and artists for thousands of years.
The Apostle Paul famously wrote in 1 Corinthians 13 that despite what happens in life, including economic disasters, war, famine or plague, faith, hope and love remain, with the greatest of these being love.
At the end of the day, no one can destroy, own, buy or manipulate the pure essence of hope, faith or love. You cannot kill it, you cannot bribe it and you cannot steal it.
Many have tried, and so have produced replicas and copycats that only resemble a shadow of the real deal. Love, hope and faith do not lose value if the price of Brent crude oil fluctuates, or if the dollar strengthens, or if another war breaks out. It remains consistent.
History has proven how individuals have been tortured, imprisoned, threatened, ridiculed, mocked and brutalised, but they have refused to give up on hope, love and faith.
It is because of hope, love and faith that great odds have been overcome, that the impossible have become the possible, that the meek have become heroes and that, no matter the height of the mountain, it remains surmountable.
It is also not exclusive to a religion, or a culture. The lasting qualities of love, hope and faith pertain to all humanity. They extend across all borders, no matter race, colour, religion or status.
At the end of the day, if we have lost the ability to love, or to hope, or to have faith, then we might as well stop breathing, living or existing.
The world is sadly in chaos because of strife, conflict and hate, because we have forgotten how to truly love, how to hope and how to hold onto faith.
Instead of hoping we have opted just to cope, and for faith we have chosen disbelief and unbelief. Faith has different connotations for different people, but, in essence, at least have faith in yourself if faith in humanity has been lost.
Hope might seem a bridge too far, but this is the beauty of hope – it strengthens us to believe we can get across the bridge.
At times we question love, but this is because the world has twisted love to become a selfish animal of little worth or value.
In the words of the apostle Paul: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
We live in a world of large-scale chaos, panic, tragedy, death, mayhem and sadness, because we have forgotten how to love ourselves and how to love others unconditionally. We, after all, live in a time where achievement, wealth, success and promotion comes cruelly at the expense of people.
Lack of true love has led to cold intolerance that has sparked tragic division, dissension and violence.
Wherever love is absent, then hate ensures. Whenever faith is absent, then despair follows. Whenever hope fails, then hopelessness comes knocking.
Once we as a people begin to allow hate, or to despair or to lose hope, then we have to embrace a world of cruel reality.
As mankind we have a choice at the end of the day: no matter our circumstances, to love above hate, to have faith when all seems lost and to keep on hoping even if it seems the road ahead remains treacherous.
Heading into 2015, a lot of people might be downcast at the prospects for South Africa.We reflect on crime, Eskom, a potential looming water crisis, e-tolls – and the list goes on.
Granted, we could have reason to be depressed, but then our attitude and mindset depends on us, not government or any other person.
We have a choice to keep on giving our best as we hope for a better tomorrow; we can keep on having faith that, no matter how dark the proverbial storm may seem, beyond the darkness lies light; and we can surely choose to rather show love, even though many feel that such a virtue has died away.
Nick Vujicic, the man who was born without arms or legs, yet who has become an inspiration for millions, says the following in his book, Life Without Limits: “Yet I also believe that when you do unto others, blessings come to you as well. So if you don’t have a friend, be a friend. If you are having a bad day, make someone else’s day. If your feelings are hurt, heal those of another.”
He also said: “In life you have a choice: Bitter or Better? Choose better, forget bitter.”
We do not know what 2015 will hold, as we embrace the year with uncertainty, but there is a certainty which lies in our attitude, in our actions, in our thoughts and in our behaviour.
There will be a lot of external factors we cannot change in 2015, like the power outages, but the internal journey that determines character and integrity is our exclusive ownership.
Only when the world again embraces the timeless joy of hope, faith and love, then, indeed, mankind will find a way to smile more, show more compassion, and become true beacons of light.
For this year, let this thought from Vujicic inspire you: “If you can’t get a miracle, become one.”
