What To Do At The End of the World

I've discovered that any curiosity I might have about what is going on in the news lately quickly gets snuffed out by the dizzying feeling that things are going to hell in a handbasket in our country and the world. 

Also, there aren't any regular eggs in my local grocery store, only the fancy kind that cost nearly $10, which feels apocalyptic.  

I have this sudden urge to start reading the book of Revelation from the Bible yet again, even though I know better than to use it for predictive purposes.  

The problem is, I've studied it extensively and can't help but sometimes see some of the images described in its oft-cryptic pages as eerily similar to what is happening around us.  

This brings home my firm belief that the last book of the Bible was meant to warn Jesus' followers about the cyclical nature of history and how to remain faithful during times of chaos.  

But it's hard to do just that. In times of uncertainty and despair, it can often feel like the world is unraveling. Global conflicts, social injustices, and personal struggles can cast an overwhelming shadow over hope and joy. 

Yet, it is precisely during these moments of darkness that our light is most needed. Each of us carries within us the ability to shine brightly, offering hope to ourselves and those around us.

T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men" poignantly reflects on the human condition amid times of societal upheaval. 

    Between the desire
    And the spasm
    Between the potency
    And the existence
    Between the essence
    And the descent
    Falls the Shadow
                                    For Thine is the Kingdom
   
    For Thine is
    Life is
    For Thine is the
   
    This is the way the world ends
    This is the way the world ends
    This is the way the world ends
    Not with a bang but a whimper.

Eliot warns us that the shadow of resignation and inaction lies between our desires for a better world and our reality. This shadow often results in a sense of powerlessness, leading us to retreat into apathy instead of engaging with the world around us.

This resignation echoes a profound truth: doing nothing in the face of turmoil does not transform the world. The alarming refrain, "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper," imparts a powerful message about the consequences of inactivity. 

It suggests that it's not great calamities that mark the end of hope but rather a slow surrender to despair. Neglecting our voices and actions can lead to a creeping silence—a missed opportunity to advocate for change, stand up for the voiceless, and radiate hope in dark times.

Anne Lamott captures this sentiment beautifully in her book Almost Everything, where she states: 

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come." 

This quote reinforces the idea that hope is an active choice, one that emerges from our willingness to engage with the struggles of our world. 

However, we must remember that we are not powerless. Each choice we make, each act of kindness we extend, and the stand we take can help dispel the shadows that loom over our world. No act of compassion is too small; even a smile shared with a stranger or a helping hand to a neighbor can create ripples of hope. 

Consider the impact of speaking truth to power and using our platforms to uplift others. It is in our collective efforts to embody hope that we can ignite significant change.

The Scriptures remind us of our call to action even in the bleakest times. In Galatians 6:9, we are encouraged by the words: 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 

This passage is a powerful reminder that our commitment to work for a better world is not in vain, even when everything is lost. Our actions can plant seeds of hope that will one day flourish.

As we navigate the complexities of life, let us hold fast to our dreams and desires for a better world. We must act consciously and assertively, not letting the shadows envelop us. The love we share, the hope we inspire, and the courage we exhibit can transform despair into motivation.

So, may we refuse to succumb to the resignation that Eliot so hauntingly describes. In adversity, we can rise with intention, courage, and purpose. 

This is our call to action: to be beacons of light, to infuse our communities with hope, and to transform the narrative of hopelessness into one of possibility. 

Let us create a world that reflects kindness, justice, and love—a world that shines brightly against the darkness. Even amid uncertainty, we can uplift each other and illuminate the path forward, proving that hope is always within reach.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.