Enrico Fermi is reported to have asked, at a luncheon of cosmologists, if the universe is as large as we think it is, and evolution proceeds once life begins, where is everybody? Why have we not found evidence of life across the universe? One solution to the question is that civilizations destroy themselves before they develop the technology to escape their planet. This line of thinking leads to the possibility that we are alone in the universe. And it does not bode well for our survival.

One of the catchphrases of the 60s was encapsulated in Bob Dylan’s song, The Times, they are A-Changing. We really believed that, especially where I was, in the atmosphere of Union Seminary in NYC, where it was believed that God was mobilizing the change. In retrospect, although delusional is too strong a word, we certainly were overly optimistic. In the West, the years since the second world war, despite the threat of nuclear annihilation, injustice, and inequality, have been years of progress and hope for the future, a hope which now is under steady bombardment. It is probably not an overstatement to say that the people of the world are experiencing a certain sense that things are not right, and a fear that perhaps they never will be.

The descent into hopelessness is enabled by many factors. Changing climate evident in sea rise, drought, more violent storms, migrations of both animals and people. The horrors of war as witnessed in Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The irrationalism that spreads like wildfire from person to person, group to group, resulting in conspiracy theories totally divorced from reality. Forever chemicals. Growing inequality. Isolation and fear resulting from covid. The disintegration of American society.

Older generations no longer find solace in thinking of a brighter future, while younger generations see no future at all. Help for mental health issues is everywhere because the impact of the situation has become so deep and prevalent that we question our ability to cope. Faith leaders work to encourage members to trust in God, often to no avail. What we must remember is that the vast majority of human beings who have walked this planet have lived lives of hardship if not misery. It has been only our recent optimism that has created an alternative vision in our imagination. The universal kingdom of God is not just around the corner.

Change for the better is needed at so many places at once, that the challenge is overwhelming, and we easily become disheartened, disillusioned and depressed. Not a day goes by that we are not both reminded visually of the plight of both our fellow pilgrims and the planet, and asked to help alleviate the pain, so that daily we are overcome by a feeling of helplessness.

There is a better way. In a sea of gloom, we can search for our island, reach out to find our family of friends, dwell in our place of sanity and sanctity, enjoy our talent and craft, and take joy in our gift to others. And all the while, treasuring every bit of it. I believe that the greatest gift that Jesus bestowed upon us was that he brought together a group of people and transformed them into family. His time and place was as filled with doubt and insecurity as our time today. Violence, oppression, inequality and uncertainty about the future was the given context. Amid that, followers learned to reach out to one another, to do good, and to be hopeful. The society surrounding them may have hoped for a messiah who would eject the Romans, but the goal of these few was a life of being happy with friends while doing good. We can do the same.

Dr. Carl Krieg received his BA from Dartmouth College, MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in NYC and PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is the author of What to Believe? the Questions of Christian Faith and The Void and the Vision. As professor and pastor, Dr. Krieg has taught innumerable classes and led many discussion groups. He lives with his wife Margaret in Norwich, VT.