What does hope look like when change is slow, institutions resist reform, and justice feels perpetually unfinished?
In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Dr. Christine Jeske, anthropology professor at Wheaton College and author of Racial Justice for the Long Haul. Together, they explore how Christians can move beyond naïve optimism and into a resilient, grounded hope that sustains a lifelong commitment to justice.
Drawing from years of research, global experience, and personal “collision moments,” Christine unpacks why some people burn out after moments of moral clarity while others stay faithful for decades. The conversation ranges from Nicaragua to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, from white saviorism to grace, and from individual action to institutional change.
If you’ve ever wondered how to stay engaged in the work of justice without losing heart, this episode is for you.
1. The Problem with Naive Hope
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Why “bringing hope” can sometimes reinforce injustice
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The difference between optimism based on comfort and hope forged in suffering
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How privilege shapes what we expect hope to do
2. Learning from Failure (and Chickens, Pigs, and Squash Plants)
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Early experiences in Nicaragua and the collapse of well-intentioned projects
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Why failure is often a necessary teacher for people with privilege
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Letting go of the need to “fix” everything
3. Collision Moments
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Defining the experiences that shatter our illusions about the world
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Why collisions motivate short-term action but can’t sustain long-term justice
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How collisions differ for white people and people of color
4. What Sustains Long-Term Commitment to Justice
Christine identifies three recurring patterns among people who stay in the work:
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Collisions that disrupt false narratives
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Asking “why” as a lifelong posture of curiosity, not a one-time class
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Responding to grace, rather than trying to earn moral credibility
5. Grace as the Center of Justice Work
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Why grace decouples justice from saviorism
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Receiving what we cannot repay — and living in response
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The “bucket brigade” metaphor: faithful presence over heroic impact
6. Institutions, Hope, and the Long Arc of Change
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Can institutions really change?
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Why hope can’t be based solely on current events or political cycles
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Trusting a God who interrupts the bad with the good
Notable Quotes
“You can’t microwave trust.”
“There’s a difference between naive optimism and a rugged hope that acknowledges how bad things can be — and still keeps going.”
“Hope isn’t something we bring. It’s something we participate in.”
“We’re part of the bucket brigade. It’s important work — but we’re not that important.”
Who This Episode Is For
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Pastors, ministry leaders, and faith-based organizers
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Christians wrestling with race, justice, and burnout
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People disillusioned with short-term activism cycles
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Anyone asking: Is there still hope — and how do I live into it faithfully?
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