Part 2 – A Light from Many Lamps – Henley

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. (Henley, Invictus)

The story that I chose from part three of Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson was the one entitled William Ernest Henley: I am the Master of my Fate: I am the Captain of my Soul (p. 85). The main idea from this story comes from the last line in his famous poem called, “Invictus” which is Latin for invincible, unconquered (p. 86). It stems from a long life of pain and suffering, however recognizing that it is your courage that will help one get through, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

I have heard this poem before but never really took to heart. My reasoning for this is that I find sustenance in words like:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4, NIV).

I firmly believe that this poem is about the hope that we have in this world, not the next. However, we have a Christian “hope” in Jesus Christ which we can find in the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3, NIV). Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5 NIV ). It is the future hope of the resurrection when we die (Acts 23:6), the promises given to us (Acts 26:6-7 NIV), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25 NIV), the return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14 NIV), transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3 NIV), the salvation of God (1 Timothy 4:10 NIV) or simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1 NIV).

With all of this being said, I would love to hear your input in regards to worldly hope and Christian hope: is there a difference? Are the two the same kind of “hope”?

References:

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.