A. A. Milne’s famous donkey, Eeyore, responds to the new red balloon that Christopher Robin attaches as his tail’s replacement: “Sure is a cheerful color. Guess I’ll have to get used to it.” When Piglet bids him a cheery, “Good Morning,” he says: “It most likely is . . . for some.” Or this: “The sky has finally fallen. Always knew it would.” Gloomy, yes, but humorous in a humorless kind of way. Eeyore’s life motto seems to be: ‘Expect little. It’s better to disappoint yourself first.’ In various forms, there are Eeyores to be found everywhere. (Their glass is never full. The time is never right. No one understands. No one cares.) Some Christians, indeed, some churches, present themselves as Eeyores: sad, discouraged (and discouraging), fretful, fearful, deathly serious, vinegary types. One wonders what they’ve done with Jesus’ emphasis on joy, His joy.
At another point on the happy-sad spectrum are those whose very presence lights up a room and chases away gray and gloom. These folks exhibit a can-do attitude and are often surrounded by a crowd of friends who benefit from this ‘up’ life approach. I’m reminded of a song sung by Frank Sinatra: High Hopes. The lightheartedness of the song shouldn’t override its Biblical, energizing side for us, its emphasis on what has been promised, what is yet to be hoped for, the good that is still in the making, that which is on its way. To be made fully free, fully whole, in Christ, we need to have our leaky souls lined up at the feet of Jesus, awake and ready for his decreed fillings. That should move the needle in His direction – toward the lost, the least, the disenfranchised, the hungry, the naked, the poor, and his: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come celebrate with me!” from Matthew 25, TPT. See all you beautiful, lined-up souls tomorrow at 10 AM EDT, 4 PM FR. PD
