Day 8: Lessons of Hope from Shawshank

[box] “Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” Shawshank Redemption. Andy’s letter to Red.[/box]

One of my favorite movies is Shawshank Redemption.

If you’ve seen the movie, you will remember that when the older man, Brooks, was released from prison, he couldn’t adjust to his new and uncomfortable surroundings.  His comfort came from what we would consider misery.  Prison.  His new life wasn’t what he recognized and he wanted to go back to the only thing he knew.  He went on to commit suicide.  He had no hope.

Even misery can be a source of comfort.  It’s what we know.

Watch this clip then come back here….

When Red was released from prison, he worked in the same grocery store that Brooks worked in and stayed in the same apartment.  He felt similar feelings of discomfort in adjusting to his new life.

The difference between Brooks and Red came down to one thing.  Hope.

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.”

Yes it is.  Hope is our everything.  It’s the only way we can manage through the traumas and challenges of life.  We have One who came to give us hope.  It’s the best of things.  It’s the only thing.  And it never dies.

[box] This is Day 8 in a series, 31 Days to Get Uncomfortable With God. Please click here for a listing of all posts in this series. If you would like posts delivered to your inbox, please click here.[/box]