Thinking about Elvis Costello’s “Waiting for the End of the World”

Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer seems particularly apt this time of year—Advent. It can be a lens through which we can reflect on Elvis Costello’s “Waiting for the End of the World.”

“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.”


Serenity: Trusting in God’s Redemptive Work


The prayer’s call for serenity echoes our hope that God will not abandon us. When the unthinkable happens—be it the destruction of Jerusalem or some more contemporary catastrophe—we face realities beyond our control. Accepting these things does not have to be merely resignation; it’s a profound trust in God’s redemptive work, even amid chaos.


Costello’s song captures the unease of waiting and uncertainty:


“The man from the television crawling through the train / He’s got the carbine loaded, and he’s not afraid to use it.”


Here, the tension and paranoia of waiting for the unknown starkly contrast with the serenity we seek through faith. Serenity feels elusive when foundations are shaken, yet Advent reminds us that we can find peace even in turmoil by trusting in God’s presence.


Courage: Taking Responsibility


Niebuhr’s prayer asks for courage—the courage to act where we can. We must acknowledge our capacity for both good and evil. As Pascal noted, those who “act the angel” might “act the beast.” Courage means owning our flaws and choosing ethical responsibility.


In Costello’s song, there’s a sense of paralysis—a waiting for catastrophe without knowing how to act:


“The bride’s getting ready to throw the bouquet / The jailer who carries the key is gone.”


This image of disrupted order and impending disaster underscores the need for courage in facing life's chaos. It reminds us that courage requires not just resolve but clarity. We must discern where and how to intervene in a world that often feels like it’s spiraling toward crisis.


Wisdom: Living in the Now


Finally, the prayer seeks wisdom to know what we can and cannot change. Advent calls us to live in the presence of the Messiah, to “live God’s future today.” This isn’t about predicting or controlling the end but about embodying the kingdom's values here and now.


Costello’s song portrays waiting as futile, a lack of wisdom that leaves humanity adrift:


“The train conductor says, ‘Take a break, driver eight / Driver eight, take a break / We’ve been on this shift too long.’”


This sense of exhaustion and disorientation contrasts with the Advent call to purposeful waiting. Wisdom invites us to stay grounded in hope and ethical living, trusting God’s ultimate victory of mercy and truth.


Navigating Between Fear and Faith


When the unthinkable happens—whether in history, in our communities, or in our personal lives—the Serenity Prayer, Costello’s song, and the season of Advent together offer guidance:

• Serenity invites us to accept what we cannot control, trusting God’s ongoing work.

• Courage calls us to take responsibility and resist despair and inaction.

• Wisdom helps us discern our role, living faithfully here and now.


As Costello sings:


“But it’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.”


This ironic acceptance challenges us to consider how we balance resignation with trust in a greater purpose. As we await Christ's coming, we’re reminded that our task is to seek God’s will and live faithfully even when the world's end feels near. We navigate the space between fear and faith by embracing serenity, courage, and wisdom.


This version incorporates Costello’s lyrics to reinforce the themes and offer a vivid interplay between the song, the prayer, and Advent’s message. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

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