Nostalgia- what a powerful force it wields. I can hardly bear to page through our family picture albums or watch old family videos. Why? They stir up such memories, such longing for the happy moments when my kids were running through the house, that I feel down for hours! Interestingly, those same pictures that make me so morose make my wife thankful that our kids are all grown up. She was a full-time Mom and remembers that era in our family life quite differently than I do! Both of us agree about one thing, however; we can't relive those joys, so we'll find the joys that today offers!
Some people are attempting to navigate life while staring into the rear-view mirror! They are largely missing the present because they are remembering the happiness of another time in life. Every experience of the 'now' is evaluated in the light of 'then.' There's a big problem with living that way. Memory is highly selective. We rewrite history to fit our perceptions, our needs. So, as we remember the 'good old days,' we tend to forget the difficulties and recall the moments of joy. Try to think back to 1986 - just 20 years ago. The stuff you were dealing with on a daily basis is largely forgotten. Your recall is limited to big moments of joy - birthday celebrations, Christmas, family vacations. Of course the awful moments are prominent in memory, too. But the ordinary moments - the flat tires, broken appliances, frustrations, arguments... they have disappeared into the mist of memory recalled only with great effort!
I find that some Christians fall into the trap of nostalgia in the faith walk, too. They bemoan the state of the church, criticize the youth program, and/or long for the preaching of some pastor they knew years ago. "It's not the way it used to be," they say. They're right! Change is inevitable! Churches that work to stay exactly the same - and many do - become less and less effective in speaking to their community. They become ingrown, inbred, and irrelevant. Some of you are objecting, "Jerry, Christianity is ancient. Traditions are important." And you're right. The Bible assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today, and forever." The celebrations of Communion, baptism, Christmas, and Easter are valuable traditions that preserve continuity in the Christian community. I would agree that some change is done for the sake of being 'cutting edge,' but not really all that helpful or necessary.
That said, we need to recognize that how the Gospel is communicated; the ways that we worship, the methods we use to observe the traditions and rites of our faith - will all change over time. Songs that moved us, that shaped our expressions, will be replaced by the songs of new artists who are expressing their love for Christ with new rhythms and melodies. Preachers whose methods were inspired by the Spirit for a window in time will pass on to their reward and new servants will emerge with innovative ways to share the authentic Message of Christ. (I won't take time to illustrate this point from history, but believe me - each generation's innovations in Christian worship has provoked the ire of the previous generation!)
Now, let me speak personally to you.
Are you missing out on what God wants to do in your life TODAY, because you're attempting to recreate the spiritual experiences of another time?
Do you fondly remember a decade when, in your memory anyway, God seemed so close to you? Rejoice in that! Don't try to erase yesterday. My great memories of family times with my kids are foundational to my love for them today. But, if I attempt to relate to my kids who are now adults like I did when they were pre-adolescents, I'll alienate them from me. So it is with the Lord. What He did for you and with you yesterday is foundational for your walk with Him today, but those things are past, and He's doing a new thing in you, in me!
Ask God to help you to see and appreciate what He's doing today. If you think the Church has gone a little 'off the rails,' pray for those who lead, asking the Spirit to make His Presence known - and be ready for God to do a new thing - in you, in your church, in this world!
Consider Jesus' parable - “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins." (Luke 5:36-37, NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness. (Psalm 98:1, NLT)
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