Same old, same old

Once again we are witness to a terror attack on the planet. This time a group of young men brought fear and death to Mumbai. The danger for myself is that I become numb to these attacks, that death through them becomes statistical. Just because something is commonplace doesn’t make it something to gloss over.

The economic situation continues to dominate the media too. This week we’ve heard the news that two iconic high street traders in the United Kingdom have gone into administration – Woolworths and MFI. Both are well known names but it seems they may have had their day, and the time has come for them to disappear.

The United Kingdom has been told to expect a cold winter this year. At the same time many will feel the need to cut their fuel costs by turning down the heating. So it is with interest that we see ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ voted the best Christmas Carol.

The news reports seem to be stuck with an endless repetition of atrocities, economic woe and seasonal ‘Dead donkey’ stories (hopefully no pun intended there). There is nothing new. Names and places may be different but the stories are essentially the same.

As we progress through Ecclesiastes this week we can hear similar sentiments echoed millennia earlier. Stuff happens and life goes on. The sentiment that however wise and clever humanity becomes, we still end up in difficult situations, is as true today as it was then.

Both the news reports and Ecclesiastes can be seen as a little depressing. They appear to offer little hope. But dig into both and you will find good news, for there are times both to weep and laugh.

Darren