Thought for the Week: Howard Grace plays a part

‘There seems to be something that inspires humans and all animals to move forward creatively.’

Waiting for Godot has a reputation as one of the most influential plays of the twentieth century. I knew little about it, however, so I decided recently to attend a local production. It was well acted but I sat there bemused. The play seemed pointless.

Reflecting on it afterwards, I suspected that this was what the play was actually trying to illustrate: the pointlessness of life. There were touches that one could identify with, bad and good. A dictatorial character treats an enslaved person abominably. At one point, when the latter collapses, two characters try (fleetingly) to help him. Overall, human existence is shown as absurd, and the two main characters fail to escape this absurdity. The meaning and purpose they hold in waiting for Godot is lost when they learn that he will not be coming.

It made me reflect on my own journey, passing through several stages of belief and unbelief. At one point, my wife and I were baptised together – total immersion! But what motivates me now? People, believers or otherwise, tend to talk about God as though they know what they are talking about. Personally, I no longer believe in any orthodox picture of a creator ‘out there’. Nevertheless, I feel myself to be well motivated to care for others and the planet, and to contribute towards building a better world. Many others do likewise, some in a very big way.

‘It’s a good job the planet doesn’t have proportional representation!’

I also think of various species of animals, who don’t have the same brain power as humans to ponder the big questions. Yet, seemingly they exhibit loving qualities. The Bible tells us that love is the greatest attribute. Relationships between dogs and their owners, and inspiring TV programmes such as Springwatch, point to animals caring for their young, being playful, and often being motivated in creative ways. What is this inner driving force?

Humans have developed in a remarkable way. We are well organised and, as recently, have elections to find the democratic will of the people. But as a biologist friend of mine pointed out, ‘For ninety-nine point nine per cent of the time that there has been life on this planet, there were no humans and everything got along OK. Now this experiment by nature, with this clever, self-conscious being, is leading to countless thousands of other species being driven to extinction. If the other ten million or so species could vote, we’d be sent packing.’ It’s a good job the planet doesn’t have proportional representation!

Waiting for Godot depicts life as meaningless. But there seems to be something that inspires humans and all animals to move forward creatively with their lives. Whatever our beliefs about its source, let us be true to the positive aspect of that life force which prompts us to love, care and build a better world.

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