In “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Christian discipleship without acts is not Christianity. Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” Only our Christian deeds make us like “Christ-with-flesh- on.” I firmly believe that we must also offer hope to everyone, not just to family members, friends, and neighbors, but to all people of all races, creeds, colors, religions, genders and political parties. We have become such a divided country that we are failing to see how broken we have become. Christian acts built on the foundation of strong faiths and courageous hope will help to re-build our nation on solid ground, not sand.

My friends, believe in Jesus Christ, and He will renew our strength on wings of eagles. We will rise up not because of our own selfish needs, but because of the needs of all. From Jesus Christ’s promises on the Sermon on the Mount, I offer this poem.

Speak with hope.

Reach with hope.

See with hope.

Share with hope.

Speak, reach, see, and share with grace.

There are no more beautiful acts to do in our world right now.

The hope will bind us together and make us whole.

Anna Hartt