I recently toured Ellis Island in New York City. It was fascinating to walk through the building where millions of people started a new life draped in one word – hope. Many had nothing but the clothes on their back and perhaps a trunk filled with their most prized possessions. Most left families behind in Europe, all in the hope (there’s that word again) that a new home would bring new possibilities. Men, women, and children lined up to be examined by doctors and labeled acceptable or not acceptable for entrance into the United States. Whatever their standing in life; whatever existence they were about to pursue; whatever dream or aspiration was on their heart – they all had one thing in common: hope.
This small word packs such a powerful punch. No one ever walks through life successfully without it. Hope is present in conversations parents have with their children. It is right there when a doctor is describing the next step in treatment for his patient. It permeates commencement speeches at high schools and colleges around the world each graduation season. It is everywhere…yes, even in the movies. “Dunkirk” came out several months ago. In one of the trailers for the movie, the voice-over guy makes the announcement, “hope is a weapon.” Yes it is, voice-over guy. You see, hope is not just an idea that floats around in the imagination. It is real. It is substance. And yes, it is a weapon.
On Christmas night in 1776, hope was in the forefront. General George Washington, along with about 2,500 men crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack on enemy forces in encamped in Trenton, New Jersey. The attack was a success. The timing could not have been better. Men were walking away in droves because of the lack of food, supplies, coats, shoes, and pay. The revolution stood at the brink of collapse. If something wasn’t done soon, the Continental Army would not be an army at all. But Washington was not about to give up. He called for a plan that would turn the tide and give a much-needed boost to the men. It was crazy, really. He would take his small army of 2,500 men (less than half of his planned strength of 5,500), cross the river at night in freezing cold, march several miles into Trenton, and surprise the sleeping Hessians. Of course, the plan did not unfold as Washington had envisioned. Plans rarely do, even the best. The Continental Army arrived hours later than intended. They had much fewer numbers than called for. It was a recipe for disaster. But Washington, being the great leader he was, had an ace up his sleeve – – hope. And it was a good thing he did. The victory brought a renewed fighting spirit to the men. The Continental Army would live to fight another day.
Some might argue whether hope is really a weapon. Sure, I know it is not a tangible thing that one can actually physically touch, like a sword or a musket. But I would argue that on that particular Christmas night in 1776, hope was more powerful than any gun a soldier carried. It was more piercing than any saber an officer wore at his side.
Ask any leader today, and they will tell you the same thing. Hope is critical. If one wants to thrive in any environment, hope must be present. Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah; “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Who would not want to soar like an eagle or run and not grow tired and weary?
If you are in a place of uncertainty today, put yourself in the shoes of the young mother or father standing in the registry room in the Ellis Island Immigration Center. Rediscover hope. Hope for a new beginning. Hope for a new dream. Renew your hope today and you will see that Isaiah’s words are true; and you will see…hope is a weapon.
Faith, Leadership, and History 