SCRIPTURE: Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10 NIV
QUOTE: “It is folly to complain of the badness of our own times when we have more reason to complain of the badness of our own hearts (if men’s hearts were better, the times would mend) and when we have more reason to be thankful that they are not worse, but that even in the worst of times we enjoy many mercies, which help to make them not only tolerable, but comfortable.” Matthew Henry, Commentary on Ecclesiastes
THOUGHT: When it comes right down to it, we are poor judges of history. Applying our modern lens to history is like putting on a pair of glasses made for dad and expecting to see perfectly. From his vantage 3,000 years ago, Solomon already saw the truth of that. And we, on the cusp of sea change in our nation and culture, probably need to as well. Every generation has its problems.
What is happening right now may have something to do with the dashing of our hopes and dreams that life was getting better, that civilization was rising, that progress was happening, that the world our children grew up in would be even better than the one in which we did. We are encountering the eternal truth that there is nothing new under the sun, and it makes us grieve. If men’s hearts were better, the times would mend.
So, what is wisdom as culture melts down around us? I bump into this quandary day after day, and while I take seriously the responsibility to be salt and light, I also force myself to take little breaks from news and culture and sit in the sun, listen to the birds, sing a little song, take a little walk in the beauty of creation, have lunch with a friend, call a family member, hug and kiss my husband soundly…. You get it. There is life here and now, and there is no wisdom in missing what is as present to us as all the other junque of life. And, who knows, perhaps a little joy turns into a little salt and light.
PRAYER: Wisdom from you begs us to live, Father, to enjoy this life you’ve given us despite all its challenges; to dream more about the future which is unknown than the past which cannot be relived or changed. Thank you for Solomon’s (and Matthew’s) reminders.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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