I’m delighted to bring you this Guest Post by a wonderful blogger and friend, Russell Brown (Russellings of the Spirit). Russell is a recently retired United Methodist pastor who is “still trying to figure out” what his next chapter will look like. He is “reasonably sure,” however, “that writing will comprise a big part of it.” It had better. The world needs his voice!
Remember the “good old days”?
You know…back in January 2020…
…back when we watched movies in movie theaters, went to church in church buildings, when kids went to school in school buildings, when we watched live concerts and sporting events, and we all just willy-nilly shook hands with strangers?
You know…back in the times when only armed robbers wore masks on their faces?
I have to admit…I have caught myself yearning for the return of those “good old days” more than once this week.
And then, in the middle of my nostalgic reverie, this rude thought came crashing in: what if those days are GONE FOREVER…and never coming back?
Say WHAAAAATT????
In asking this I am not giving up hope on the delivery of a Coronavirus vaccine. I absolutely believe the diligent scientists working in their labs will “deliver the goods” someday soon. I also believe that we will eventually all see some relaxing in our state of uber-vigilance.
But I also believe that waiting for life to “go back like it was” might well be an exercise in futility. Because life will never really be “like it was.”
And while we wait for that golden moment to return, we might be robbing ourselves of the hidden treasures of THIS day. As Jesus once famously said,
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:25-26)
No. This moment we share is far from perfect. I don’t know a single person who would have sketched this picture of the year 2020 and said, “Yeah! That’s the ticket! Bring it on!”
But let’s not let our disillusionment with what MIGHT HAVE BEEN this year steal the moments of joy that are still here to be unearthed.
LOOK! There’s one right now!
Mitch Teemley 
The passage that Jesus said to not worry about what to eat or wear takes on a whole new meaning today when our life has us thinking more about just that. His wonderful prophetic teaching is always spot on no matter what century we’re in. Shows we can trust Him for everything! Blessings.
Julai
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You too, Julia.
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Very well said!
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matthew 6:50-51-39
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What is that, Rudy?
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the verse
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I’ve seen this whole pandemic thing as a wake-up call for people who were unwilling to deal with their mortality, and that has resulted in many, many decisions to follow Christ – the ultimate good result! No, wake-up calls aren’t pleasant, but they are good – as long as we don’t hit the snooze button and go back to our former oblivion.
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Amen, Annie.
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This year has been full of surprises and taught us the concept of impermenance in a powerful way. I personally am grateful for the time off, it gave me time for self reflection and to heal my difficult thoughts and emotions. I ended up trying a lot of new things this year and that makes me very happy and fulfilled.
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So glad you’ve been able to experience it from that perspective.
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Great post, I love the message and have definitely found some things to be grateful for this year. Thanks for sharing 👍😊
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“back in the times when only armed robbers wore masks on their faces?”
As someone who routinely open carries a pistol for defensive purposes, you have no idea how weird it has been to walk into a shop with a mask on my face…
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That’s a good point, Mitch! Waiting for things to “return to normal” just makes us waste what we have right here and now. Plus, while I do believe that we will get vaccines, treatments, instant tests, etc. that will stop this virus from ruling our lives, I also think that things will simply change again. They will never be exactly like they were before the pandemic (think of how 9/11 made some permanent changes), but they will be good again and we will be able to gather again, thank goodness.
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I agree. Things won’t look like they once did. Woth great change comes great opportunities.
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Hi Mitch,
Yes, getting back to life is so important. I am tired of the fearfulness and faithlessness. Go forth and create!
In Christ,
Gary
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