From Darkness to Dawn – Faith, Hope, and 2009
By Dawn and Candace

With all the chaos and muck of 2008, we can’t help but wonder what’s in store for 2009. Will the coming months be more of the same – more layoffs, home foreclosures, and store closings – or can we dare hope that the new year will bring the first glimmer of positive change?

First, let’s put 2008 into perspective. Years of corruption in high places, a costly war, unsavory business practices, and out-of-control personal debt culminated to a crescendo in 2008 and virtually destroyed the economy. In the meantime, most of the remaining wealth is still concentrated in the hands of a tiny minority. Our young people are dropping out of school at ever increasing rates. Health in communities of poverty and among people of color is a national disgrace. Clearly, some things needed to change.

We are participating in the death throes of an old order and the birth of a new one. We’re in labor, and birthing new life is always painful. Change creates pain, but there’s hope. There’s always hope.

We certainly can’t predict the future, but we can hope, dream, desire, and especially have faith in a more positive 2009. A somber President Obama said things may get worse before they get better, and that may be true. But the good news is that things will get better. Let’s hold onto that.

Things will change for many of us, and it may not be pretty at first. How we navigate the transitions will determine whether change will lead to devastation or triumph.

We can’t predict the future, but we have faith, and that’s more powerful than prognostication. Predicting the future implies that the future is set and personal will has no role in unfolding events. Faith, on the other hand, declares that we determine our own fate. But remember, faith without action is dead.

In 2008, the nation stepped out on faith and elected its first African American president in U.S. history. This is a sign that positive change is on the horizon. For example, we’re hopeful that the racial divide is finally beginning to heal. President Obama’s diverse administration is a thing of beauty, and the world is watching in admiration and hope.

Also on the horizon is the promise of a new green economy. Not only will innovations clean up the earth, building a new infrastructure will put people to work and create opportunities for entrepreneurs. Only good things will emerge from this initiative.

Although it may get darker before the dawn, there are many reasons to hold out for hope and faith and to resist fear and despair. We’re not oracles, but we do believe in the power of positive self-fulfilling prophecies. As all hell is breaking loose, now more than ever we must live according to our life’s most sacred purpose (Nia!). Yes, there will be day-to-day decisions about basic needs and survival to make, but never lose sight of your sacred purpose. When survival’s at stake, purpose usually gets put on the back burner. We suspect that decision, made on both a national and individual level, has brought us to this moment in time. How’s it working for us? Not so good. Let’s begin to plan and act out of our sacred purpose. This is the moment, this is the time.

 

Let the purging begin (argh!)

It’s as if we’re having one big hormonal mid-life crisis. Mid-life has a way of forcing a past life review. All that’s been done, whether good or bad, comes to light. What should have been done makes itself known, too.

The things we don’t need are being purged out of our lives, and the things that bring us lasting happiness, the things that were hidden in plain view all along, are unfolding like flowers before our very eyes. What makes you really happy? Do you even know? Now is the time to find out.

Lost your job or your home? Are your finances in a shambles? Has your relationship reached a dead end (or do you only think it has)? Have you allowed preventable ailments to take root in your body? What do you have to lose? Take the plunge and pursue the desires of your heart. Get your life in order.

1. Going through a life change is not for the feint of heart. If in the past few years you’ve settled for less in any area of life, be prepared for big changes to occur. Be courageous. Don’t let fear and desperation guide your actions. Seek peace in the midst of the storm before making important decisions.

2. Jesus said, “Be it done to you according to your faith” (Matthew 9:29). He also said, “If you can believe, all things are possible” (Mark 9:23). Faith can be negative or positive. It’s your choice. Isn’t that wonderful? Be encouraged and be empowered. No matter what’s going on in your community or the society at large, never forget that your life is in your own hands.

3. Help a sister out. No matter how tough life gets, someone is going through something much worse. Whenever you can, lend a helping hand.

4. Just in case, stock up on essentials – water, medicine, canned goods. Be prepared.

5. Talk to your children at a level they can understand about what’s going on, and try to maintain as much of a normal routine as possible. Children can sense when their parents are stressed out.

Rosa Parks once said, “When one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” We dare you…keep the faith, especially when all seems lost. If faith is too difficult, start out with hope, then work your way up to faith. The times are challenging us all to grow up spiritually. We can do this.