How Hope Burns Bright

One of the most interesting concepts in Geoff Johns' lead-up to The Blackest Night has been the introduction of the Blue Lantern Corps. Unlike the other new corps shown so far, which have rapidly scoured the universe to amass a force of numbers, the Blue Lanterns are building their ranks slowly and deliberately. Rather than seeking after their own goals, as the Sinestros and Reds have, the Blues' aim seems to be to aid the Green Lanterns in their mission to keep order. Yet, all indications suggest that the blue ring bearers may be the mightiest of the bunch. And the emotion fueling their rings is hope.

The implication of hope as a driving force came to light this week in Green Lantern #38 during the battle between the Blue Lanterns and the Red. Atrocitus, leader of the Reds, denounces the power of the blue ring as "Empty prayers. Disembodied faith." Evidently, the Blue Lanterns have no real abilities of their own, as their rings only work when fighting along side the willpower of a Green Lantern. "Hope is nothing without willpower to enact it."

This portrayal of hope as useless in and of itself is a remarkably accurate one. No one has ever effected change in the world by simply hoping it would happen. Conceived of improperly, hope surely can exist as nothing but a hollow sentiment, a futile wish that things will turn out ok. This is the hope of Disney movies and Oprah episodes, nothing but fluff when stripped to its core.

But Johns falls short of describing exactly what it is that gives hope its power. Regardless of the strength of will on behalf of those who hope, hope is ultimately defined by its object--that in which the hope in question is being placed. Those who place their hope in political leaders may thrive during the optimism of a campaign but may equally suffer when the elected later face the challenges of governing. Likewise, a man who puts hope in himself stands to go only as far as his own limited capabilities will take him.

This is why the hope of a Christian is unsurpassed. His hope lies in Christ and the redemptive victory over sin and death that was won on the cross. It is hope in one who is eternal, unchanging, and all-powerful. And it is the kind of hope that burns brightest of all.