"The Handbasket of Despair" by Gary Smith
Clearly, I have done something to upset the editor-in-chief of our “Advent Guide.” Dear readers, every time I sign up to contribute, dear Sue (Wright) gives me very hard assignments. I could bore you utterly by recounting them, but Sue knows, in fact, I think she revels in it (like the evil elf that came up with candy canes. C’mon man!!!). I can almost see the mirth in her eyes as she puts my name beside a particular scripture. You may be thinking, what a whiner, buck up man, all the assignments are hard, just get on with it already. I respond to your skepticism with the example of today’s focus passage. I have chosen to compound the difficulty by choosing verse 34, which reads (snapping a big ‘Z’ in the air):
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
My initial response to this decision was, “FOOL!!!”
My second response, same conversation, was, “MORON!” Dolt, idiot, buffoon, nincompoop, dufus also availed during my internal conversation. I decided to show myself some grace and ate a large slice of cake for enduring my self-abuse.
It is, however, undeniable (to me anyway) that this IS the verse for 2020. We have entered the handbasket, and it feels like an express elevator to oblivion. It descends rapidly, hurtling precipitously to decidedly warmer parts. I do not need to list all the signs and indications that perhaps we are in the end days. I will not challenge God nor the universe and make quips about prospects for additional calamity. I humbly offer:
Grief, despair, nor hate
Hold dominion over those
Living without fear
Allow your anxiety, stress, and concerns to inform your actions, not limit them.
Merry Christmas?