Que Sera, Sera – a song for 2021?

 

Que Sera, Sera – a song for 2021?

 

Que sera sera was popularised in a 1956 film song (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc).

 

The que sera sera saying is commonly translated ‘what will be will be’. Wikipedia reports that the phrase only appears in English language sources (although it is widely translated into other languages) and tracks its first recorded appearance in 16^th century British usage on a church plaque, in a family motto and in Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera).

 

At its heart the saying embodies an attitude to life that can be linked to stoic resignation (not to be equated with Greek Stoic philosophy). “It is what it is” is a presently popular saying embodying the same attitude. Likewise, with the prayer used in some self-help programmes: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” The que sera sera attitude takes many forms in many cultures globally.

 

This is an attitude that accepts life as it is without emotion – just grin and bear it. As the world starts 2021 with a fearful anxiety about resurgent Covid-19, the song seems to offer a measure of comfort.

At one level, it embodies a healthy attitude. The person who accepts and deals with the reality that is in front of them may find that they have a helpful coping mechanism before life’s challenges. Rather than rail against circumstances in a futile effort to change them, or collapse into despair or escapism, the que sera attitude enables people to accept things as they are and focus on adjusting to them. There is much to be said for this. My late Chinese godmother drew comfort and a coping mechanism from this kind of attitude (and the song) in her life which was accompanied by much hardship from difficult circumstances.

At another level, the saying seems to align with the Bible’s words about contentment. Consider these words from Paul: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Phil 4:11 – NIV). These words are remarkable considering the suffering which he voluntarily endured in the service of the gospel. See his summary in 2 Cor 11:23-28. For decades I wondered what Paul’s secret of contentment was … what was the thing that enabled him to be content in any circumstance? Eventually the answer was clear – the secret is to be content. This enables the believer to find peace in even the most appalling circumstances. It mirrors the attitude of Christ, who faced with the dread agony of his coming crucifixion, could pray ‘your will, not mine be done’ (Lke 22:42) and show other-centered generosity in his final hour (eg,  Lke 23:34, 43 & Jn 19:25-27)

Back to que sera sera. Is this the same as Christian contentment? In its bare form, que sera sera appears to be a variety of fatalism. The view behind it seems to be that life and events move in ways that impose unchanging and unchangeable circumstances on people and our best response is one of acceptance and resignation. It’s a view of the universe as a relentless and impersonal place in which humans are acted upon rather than acting. Such views are found in Islam, in classic Deism and in mechanistic cosmologies. In Christian terms, this is represented by theologies that reduce the creator to an unmoved mover who is not only impassable, but who is without emotion and who does not answer his people’s prayers.

 

These are not Christian views.

 

The Christian faith sees the universe as the creation of a personal and loving God who remains providentially involved in his creation (eg, Matt 6:25-30). He hears and answers prayers (eg, Mat 7:7-8). He made people to be responsible actors in the universe on his behalf rather than just the objects of its actions. Hence his commands to rule .. fill .. subdue …work and care … name other species and such like (Gen 1:26-29; 2:18, 19-20). So, on the various counts of the nature of the universe and the nature of people, and prayer, que sera sera rests on sub-Christian assumptions.

 

As noted, Paul’s teaching on contentment overlaps with que sera sera. The Scriptures also show an anguished refusal to be content with things that are wrong and an earnest concern that they become different. And so, the anger of Jesus when his father’s temple was corrupted (Mrk 12:15-17) , or Paul’s anguish for his personal spiritual state (eg, Phil 3:8-14) or for his fellow Jews to change their religious loyalty (eg, Rom 9:1-3; 10:1). The Christian should not be content to accept circumstances as they are when those are the circumstances of a fallen world in which the Lord’s name is dishonoured, in which vulnerable people suffer through the sins of others and in which God’s good creation is marred by human greed and selfishness.

 

So, whatever surface comfort que sera sera appears to offer, it is ultimately sub-Christian in its view of the universe, of people, and of human responsibilities and potential.

 

Here is a better song for the new year.

 

God moves in a mysterious way
  His wonders to perform:
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
  And rides upon the storm.

 

Deep in unfathomable mines
  Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
  And works His sovereign will.

 

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
  The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
  In blessings on your head.

 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
  But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
  He hides a smiling face.

 

His purposes will ripen fast,
  Unfolding every hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
  But sweet will be the flower.

 

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
  And scan His work in vain;
God is His own Interpreter,
  And He will make it plain.

(William Cowper, 1773).