Doug Abrams wrote of his work, “My value as a writer is ‘truth hunting’ - the adventure of life and finding the secrets of how to live a good and meaningful life and how to create a wiser, healthier, and more just world.” It might be easy to dismiss such a bold claim if it came from another source, but I’m inclined to pay attention to what Doug Abrams writes.

I first encountered Doug Abrams through the book he co-wrote with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy. In April 2015, Archbishop Desmond Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness’ eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering? Into that intimate and far-reaching conversation about peace, courage and joy, they invited Doug Abrams, who collected their stories and conversation, and the power of their shared spiritual practices over a week’s meeting. The resulting book was a powerful message about the meaning of life and the call to live for others. I read the book together with other clergy in South Dakota and delighted in our conversations. I was moved by Abrams’ way of being present and bringing us into a realm we might never have otherwise entered.

Now - as I scan the local news about record-setting flooding which has returned to the upper Nooksack and the community of Sumas and other places within our county; as the Omicron variant promises an extension of complexity and length to the global pandemic that has captured our attention for nearly two years; as the climate crisis threatens the lives, homes and health of people around the world; as scientists warn us of the catastrophic effects of the loss of biodiversity; as political upheaval in our country has resulted in major political leaders advocating for an abandonment of democracy; as we experience the first week of Advent in the midst of all of this discouraging news - this week I have discovered another book in which Doug Abrams has collaborated with a famous person.

The book is titled The Book of Hope and it is the report of Abrams’ conversation with Jane Goodall. It is the second book in what Abrams’ web site calls the Global Icons Series. Jane Goodall has already established herself as a leader in humanity’s exploration of hope with her memoir, published two years ago, Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey. The only thing that is keeping me from rushing right out to buy a copy of the book is the knowledge that our local independent bookseller is having a giving day for our church in one week when customers who designate our church when making a purchase will result in a donation of 10% of the purchase price to our congregation. We use the credit from those donations to purchase books for our church library, and to fund projects such as our church one book series.

Here I am, writing in my journal a glowing review of a book I have not yet read, while I am so far behind in writing reviews of the books I have read that the books section of this web site is down for a re-vamping. Life has its little ironies. Still, I can’t wait to get my hands on this book.

It wasn’t surprising to me that Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama found in their deep connection and friendship great joy. They are, after all, recognized spiritual leaders. Archbishop Tutu’s lifelong practice of the Christian Faith and the Dalai Lama’s deep commitment to providing spiritual leadership to the world’s Tibetan Buddhists give both men the capacity to reach deep into their spiritual practices and traditions to bring forth a joy that is much more than a passing emotion. My own journey in Christianity has been a source of great joy and I have sensed that joy in others. It is, however, a bit of a surprise that we in the religious community are needing to look a bit outside of our own circles of leaders to encounter the source of hope.

The apostle Paul wrote that three spiritual gifts - faith, hope and love - remain. Hope is the focus of the first week of Advent. Hope is a central element of our faith and practice. And yet, if you listen to much of contemporary preaching these days, it is hard to detect the notes of hope.

Walter Brueggemann writes of the prophets that they brought both harsh critical truth-telling and hope to the people of Israel. That combination is rare. There are many false prophets and few genuine prophets in each generation. I’ve heard quite a few sermons where preachers are boldly proclaiming truth in what some have called a “post truth” society. But that unique combination of truth and hope is elusive. I don’t know how long it has been since I left a worship service with a deep sense of renewed hope. With all of the talk of climate crisis, the needs of those who have no homes, the grief of the pandemic, and the failure of politics, it is easy to travel a bit close to despair as the challenges of this world are presented to us in carefully researched and well-chosen words.

Perhaps we have always lived on the edge of despair. Seeking the truth and avoiding deception means that we have to be realistic about the threats and dangers of this world. We are called to name the evil we see. Perhaps it is not an accident that we are called on the first week of each year in our Christian calendar to focus our attention on hope. And if a renowned scientist collaborating with a brilliant writer promises a bit of hope to us, we should not be afraid to pay attention.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading the book.