Having the Prime of My Life

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Sometimes we long for those simpler days … those good old days that we think were much better.

But do we really want to go back to those days:

Before antibiotics?

Developed initially in the 1930s, I know I’m alive today because of this improvement in medical care.

Early television?

I remember when all we could get were three channels. No way to record. If we missed an episode we were out of luck until summer reruns. And we couldn’t pause while we ran into the kitchen to grab a snack. If the commercial ended before we got our plates ready, we missed vital plot information and interrupted the rest of the family with, “What happened?”

Before cell phones?

My first recollection of a telephone was a standard black dial with a short cord attached to a wall. I was so happy when we finally got a private line. Now, I can’t imagine being without my smartphone. I like being able to email, do searches, and post social media in the comfort of my recliner.

Before computers?

As a writer,  know I don’t really want to go back to pen and paper days … my writing is nearly illegible and my eyes aren’t what they used to be. I can change the font and the new programs help me with my typos.

Before airconditioned cars and related technology?

I’ve grown used to the comforts modern cars provide. I can remember those long summer trips when air conditioning was a rolled-down window. I also remember when you had to turn off the heat to defrost the window.

The list goes on.

Every new decade has brought advances that have made life better. Though some would argue the devil is in all those improvements.

Each new advance has not been without challenges and the need to adapt. Not unlike when man invented the wheel. I suppose when fire came into use, the older cavemen scratched their heads at the crazy behavior of the younger generation and wished for the good old days before campfires.

So it is with our human relationships.

Although, at times, I wish I could go back to when I could rock my child to sleep with a simple lullaby. But, to do so, would rob them of growing up and experiencing life for themselves.

Would we like to remain spiritually stagnant?

I wonder if spiritually we are reluctant to face the new, embrace the changes God infuses into our lives, and yearn for that time when life in Christ was new. Perhaps we long for the way we did church back then. 

How will the church survive if we keep wishing for those days when we sang from the hymnal? Christ's church needs to adapt to our present. We need to progress so we do not lose our younger folk.

Paul admonished the Corinthians for their lack of spiritual growth … their desire to hang onto their old ways and their refusal to adapt to the new worship God offered.

  “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.

 Indeed you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:2 NIV).

Are you willing to accept new things? Embrace change and go forward with God?

What are some things you wish had never changed? How might you see the value in the new thing? Feel free to comment below.