I’ve recently been listening to an incredibly interesting book, The Protest History of the United States. Author, civil rights attorney and professor Gloria Browne-Marshall, describes the world as a “blessedly beautiful yet humanly hostile” place to live. In other words, it’s complicated.

That corresponds to what I see in the news. There is tremendous goodness in the world; so much that reflects God’s faithfulness and provision. There are stories about grocery prices going up. If we aren’t paying attention, the unpleasantness of the added cost for bread and eggs may mask the goodness of God’s continual provision for his creations’ material needs. Sparrows and squirrels are fed directly from the earth via God’s providence. We are fed by God through the work of farmers and bakers who sell it through markets using banks and currency. Those channels are clogged with human sin – greed, pride, inefficiency, etc. Goodness and Beauty existing alongside, and sometimes hidden by, Hostility. Human-interest stories about teens serving their community or veterans aided by service dogs warm the heart. Crime stories about grisly murders or kidnappings for ransom chill it. Beauty and Hostility.

That pattern is confirmed by what I see in the mirror. There are moments I can act in the service of others. Sometimes, even sacrificial service. I can be kind, generous, and sensitive to others’ needs. Other times, I can be gruff, callous, selfish, even cruel (in my thoughts if not in my words or actions). Beauty and Hostility.

All of this resonates with the story the Bible tells us about humanity and the world we live in. It’s complicated. Originally created good by God, creation still bears his fingerprint. It is a testament to the Master Artist. But beauty isn’t all we see in the world. There is heinous evil, too. Sheer ugliness. Was it always this way? The Bible says, “No!” An invader came in and desecrated God’s temple-garden, led his image bearers in revolt against their Lord. The impacts of human sin cascaded through all creation. It groans. This isn’t how it was supposed to be.

Saying “this isn’t how it was supposed to be” is a hope-filled statement because we can also say, “maybe it won’t always be this way.”

On a purely naturalistic view of the world, we can’t say “this isn’t how it is supposed to be” or “it wasn’t always like this.” From a purely naturalistic perspective, it’s always been a combination of beauty and hostility, provision and privation. In fact, grim violence and the fight for survival are written on every page of existence from the beginning. So, saying “it won’t always be this way” seems Pollyannish at best, and probably downright delusional. It has always been this way.

The Christian story tells us a change is coming. The invader has been crushed, and mop-up operations are underway. The damning effects of sin, the work of the devil, and the curse are being undone. The day will dawn when earth will receive her King, and we will celebrate

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found

The Christian story fits and fills me with hope.