Problem number one with reliving the ole days is that we don't move forward. We get stuck! Problem number two, which is bigger than problem number one, is that we focus on what God did in the past that we miss jumping on board with what God is doing in the present! It sort of reminds me of a passage of Scripture in Ezra:
“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.” Ezra 3:10-13
During Ezra's time, God's temple was being rebuilt! God's people had gone a long time without a place to worship. When the foundation was built, it brought many emotions into play. The older generation that had seen the original temple, they wept. Some might say that they wept from joy; but in all reality once a foundation is laid, one would know what the end picture will look like. This temple was not going to come close to magnificance of the the temple that King Solomon had built. They wept because they were recalling the good ole days. The younger generation emotions were opposite of the older generation and they were shouting for joy! They had grew up hearing about the temple and how it was a place to go for the forgiveness of sins and to worship God. They didn't care what the structure looked like, they were excited to be able to come and worship God.
My Titus 2 Principle would work here! What if the older generation took the younger generation under their wing? Told them the wonders of King Solomon's temple. Talked about God's people falling into sin, being overtaken by their enemies, and the temple was destroyed. But God didn't forget about His people! God rescued us and brought us back here. Now we are rebuilding His temple with the focus to worship God and live for him. Wow, that would be powerful!
Let's go the other way. What if the younger generation searched to understand more of how they got there and sat under the wisdom of the older generation? What they learned from the older generation could save them from making the same mistakes and falling back into sin! It could teach them that worship and the forgiveness of sins is important! The younger generation would have been equipped to move forward!
This pumps me up! What would have happened back then, well yeah; but what would happen today if this would be happening on a day to day basis?!?!
Let me handle one speed bump. The good ole days of the church, God's church; is not the ole days you know! I don't think there are very many Christians that would want to live in the good ole days of the church! Why? For one, they didn't have air conditioners! It's funny, the people that have problems with adding technology and new things to the church; probably didn't think about at one time there was no air conditioning! Should we go back to those ole days? How about your chair or pew seat? The early church stood for the entire service and if they sat down it was on the ground! Should we go back to those ole days? How about persecution? I am not talking about someone saying something mean to you because you love Jesus; I am talking about losing your life for loving Jesus! Could we honestly say we want to live in the good ole days?
To be completely honest, the good ole days of the church you grew up in, those churches made decisions to change and adapt to their culture. Churches in their days were condemned for singing hymns; especially hymns accomplied with instruments. The piano, air condition, the projector, the tv screens, pews or chairs; all were new at one time and caused controversity in the church. Granted, we don't have problems with these things today! Well; unless the piano is out of tune, the air condition isn't adjusted to our comfort or we are not singing the music we want...then many times we have controversity in our churches.
For the good ole days, it propels me into the good new days. I am excited to see what God is doing today and tomorrow! I do love seeing what He did in the past as well, but I never want to be so focused on the past that I am no good for the future. God is going to do big things in His church, He will continue to have us change and adapt to our culture to be relevant, and He wants you and me to be part of this. Change is good! As long as it doesn't conflict with God's character, His will, His direction for you, and His truth - the Bible! Are you willing to take what you learned from the ole days and be ready for the best to come in the good new days to come? The choice is up to you
