Despair is a Luxury of the Privileged

Advent and Christmas can feel emotionally complex.  There is joy in the coming of Jesus, but as we are between the "now" and the "not yet," it can feel perplexing to sing about peace and joy amid intense challenges. Yesterday, my pastor said, "Advent is a season of holy dissatisfaction."  I fully agree.

Recently, I was listening to a theologian talk about the complexities of the situation between Israel and Gaza, and I heard him say, "Despair is a luxury of the privileged." 

I immediately wrote that statement down and have been contemplating it since. What a powerful, thought-provoking statement. Despair described as a luxury doesn't sound right!

But giving up or feeling hopeless is a luxury for those of us who live secure, comfortable lives.  For those in the middle of desperate situations, despair is not a choice.  The fight for survival must focus on action and resistance. They don't have the luxury of sitting down and feeling hopeless, or risk things getting even worse.

In this Christmas season, my mind goes to the challenges faced by places beyond what we hear daily from Palestine/Israel and Ukraine/Russia.  From our own team in DML, we have several partners who are also in various levels of crisis.

• India, with ongoing persecution of Christians.
• Nigeria, with escalating kidnappings, violence, and the targeting of Christians.
• Burkina Faso's ongoing challenge with terrorists.
• Cameroon, with a civil war between the English and the French that doesn't feel like it will ever end.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo, with ongoing challenges that involve neighboring countries like Burundi.
• Ethiopia continues to face internal conflict as well as conflict with neighboring countries.

And the list goes on.  I know there are dozens more.

How empty the words "peace on earth" can seem when we personally know those in the middle of these conflicts.  

How helpless we can feel when we can't effect change from the inside, because we are merely watching from a distance.

How guilty we can feel living in relative peace and comfort while many struggle.

But.

We must engage in the fight.

We can pray. 

We can encourage. 

We can listen to the painful stories that inform our prayers, as well as how we use our time, treasure and talent.

We can choose not to look away, not to anesthetize ourselves with distractions, and act like everything is okay.  

We can lament even in a season of joy.

Despair is a luxury of the privileged. Despair is NOT a posture to take when we know a Sovereign God who is at work in every place and space, primarily through His disciples who are acting on His behalf in every sphere of influence. 

Hope is a discipline, not a feeling.  It is a practiced commitment to action, even against the odds.

And so we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, which allows us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, with both joy and lament, thankful for the birth of Jesus many years ago, and also praying, "Maranatha, come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

I wish every one of you a blessed Christmas week, with joy and peace in your heart and home.