Saturday, December 27, 2014

"Retrospect..................."

As we approach another traditional ritual, this one celebrating a tick of the clock that, in truth, will occur twenty-four times before the whole world has dismissed the old and rang in the new, what occupies my thoughts this morning is the idea that we actually know such division of our existence only because we, ourselves, have so ordained it to be. It could be argued, I suppose, that the Creator is responsible for such methodic logging of the years, having originally set it all in motion with the precision of a finely tuned engine wherein orbits and revolutions, like wheels and gears, bring to us an ability to number the journey as it comes to us. In reality, though, all of eternity is held in His hand and that which we possess of it is no more than this moment, this breath, and whatever memories remain in our head concerning what has already been. Therefore, there is, it seems to me, at least some logic to something said Thursday evening concerning how humanity’s “value system” is a matter that continually changes with each generation, manners disappearing, language losing its vulgarity, morality evolving into circumstantial reasoning, whatever feels good to me as I go. The seed develops, blossoms and blooms; and yet the only one aware that the fruit is rotting on the vine is he who is able to view it from a historic mental snapshot of the plant as it once was. Thus, old men gripe, old women gossip, and youth hear nothing but antiquity complaining about life, in general. The music’s too loud; the tattooing and piercing is demonic; nobody shows respect; and it’s all going to hell in a handbag! Surely, though, as believers we must examine ourselves in so far as how much influence we have injected into the situation. How much have we substituted religion for a manifestation of Christ “in” me; and, in the process, hindered the very healing that we, as a people, so desperately need? The Law was fulfilled in Grace. The Word was made flesh, dwelt among us, and now abides within us. Renewal, revival, and regeneration springs forth from roots still able to bring up water and food to feed new growth. Before we point a finger, maybe we need to finger that point inside ourselves……

2 comments:

  1. "Before we point a finger, maybe we need to finger that point inside ourselves……"

    Apparently, I needed to hear this just before sending off an email to someone with whom I have a strained relationship. Dang, I was getting all "high and mighty" in my head. Way to ruin my fun, Jim. ;-)

    Yes, I have been known on more than one occasion to join the ranks of the its-all-going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket crowd. Especially since with the increase of hot-flashes there is a decrease in patience. And so since I'm in an Ecclesiastes frame of mind these days, I say:

    "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

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    1. Again, you make me smile, Mich. I don't profess to always living up to my views expressed here; but do strongly believe that, in letting anger control your attitude with others, you simply make yourself what they are. Things happen. People are people and I are one. Your verse out of Ecclesiastes aptly applies.....

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