FAITH, HOPE, OR LOVE

Hello dear reader,  

Welcome to another reflective moment on A Blog About Nothing. First off, happy new month! I sincerely pray that all your heart’s desires are fulfilled in this new chapter of your journey. Thank you for always reading, commenting, and sharing my articles—I deeply appreciate you. May joy and blessings follow you wherever you go.  

Today, we’re diving into something seemingly simple yet profound. Or perhaps…nothing, depending on how you see it.  

This morning, I found myself reminiscing about a story from my childhood. It was one of those tales told during Sunday school—more of a parable, really. Though I first heard it as a child, the essence of it has stayed with me, lingering in my thoughts for decades.  

Here’s how the story went:  

One day, Faith, Hope, and Love got into a heated debate about which of them was the greatest virtue.  

- Faith argued its case by saying it allows people to have complete trust in something bigger than themselves, anchoring their beliefs and actions.  

- Hope countered, claiming it gives people a reason to keep going, a desire or expectation for something better. Without hope, people would lack purpose and direction.  

- Then came Love, declaring itself the greatest of all, the purest and most powerful feeling the world has ever known. Love, it argued, fills us up even when we have nothing else.  

In the end, Faith and Hope conceded. My Sunday school teachers agreed. The Bible itself supports this conclusion: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."  

But as you probably know by now, I’m a bit unconventional in my thinking. Growing up, I questioned this narrative. Should Love have won the argument so easily?  

For me, Hope is the greatest.  

Now, this is just my personal opinion—I’m not here to force it on anyone. But hear me out. Without hope, what would we truly have to live for? Even love, often celebrated as the ultimate virtue, becomes meaningless without hope.  

Think about it. When you love someone, the belief—the hope—that they’ll love you back or that your relationship will flourish is what sustains that love. Without hope, love loses its anchor.  

Consider religion, one of the most powerful influences in the world. What does religion offer? Hope. The hope of a better life, a brighter future, or a blissful afterlife. Billions of people gather in churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples because of the hope their faith provides.  

This same hope fuels the gambling industry. People bet on sports, horse races, and casinos not just for the thrill but because they hold onto the hope of a big win—a life-changing moment. Imagine offering a gambler the jackpot amount they desire, but on the condition that they stop gambling. Most would refuse. Why? Because it’s not just about the money; it’s the hope of hitting the next big win that keeps them going.  

Even in the darkest moments—like surgery or life-threatening situations—hope plays a critical role. While this is unproven, I personally believe that those who lose hope are more likely to succumb. Without hope, the subconscious stops fighting, and death wins.  

In politics, too, hope is the currency that wins elections. People rally behind candidates because they hope these leaders will bring change, fix problems, and create a better future.  

So, for me, hope is the foundation of it all. It drives us forward, gives us purpose, and sustains us when nothing else can. 

What do you think? Is hope truly the greatest, or does love or faith deserve the crown? I’d love to hear your thoughts.  

Thank you for always reading and engaging with my reflections. Wishing you a hopeful and fulfilling month ahead.  

Your friend,  

K. Nakamoto