The Good Old Days

We call them the good old days – times past when life was less stressful and people were more innocent. We remember them fondly in our hearts and for every generation, the good old days is a different decade, a different culture, a different society.

Podcast version here

I find myself revisiting the past by watching old movies, or viewing old TV programs from my childhood, or listening to classic songs and real singers from the past in my car. As I do these things, I find myself wistfully transported back to the days of old and sometimes I wish I was back there still. But time moves on and waits for no one. Eventually, I am brought back to my responsibilities and present day circumstances.

Bible verse of the Day

Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

Old hymns cause me to experience the same. Last night, I was preaching at a senior citizens’ assisted living center where we sung hymns that I hadn’t heard in years. I also read from the King James Version of the Bible and felt the tangible faith of the people present as I intoned the old “Thees” and “Thous”, “heareths” and “leadeths” ( the word check on my computer is now having a fit because it doesn’t recognize any of those words). It was very comforting to feel that some things never change, and that the good old days of the Bible can still penetrate the hearts and souls of people.

Like me, you’re probably facing another busy week. Perhaps you have deadlines to meet or projects to accomplish or targets to achieve. In the midst of all our busy-ness and the stress of trying to keep up, it’s good to know that God never changes, that His words are always relevant, and His love endures forever.

Prayer: Lord God, You know what kind of week that I have before me. You already see what things I must do and paths I must take. Help me and hold me; guide me and lead me; comfort and embrace me, step by step and day by day. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Rest for the Weary

Scottish audio version here

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NIV)

Have you ever had a wasp in your home and watched it struggle against a window pane trying to get out? It constantly buzzes and desperately attempts to find a means of escape. It can see the real world outside, but it doesn’t understand what a glass window is. I guess the wasp must think it’s some sort of impenetrable force field that prevents it from joining the real world. And unless someone opens a window or a door to the outside world, it will keep trying to scratch, bite or claw its way through the glass until it falls exhausted to the ground.

I’ve seen people in similar circumstances throughout my years of ministry. They feel trapped in their careers or marriages. They feel isolated and frustrated. They busy themselves in the belief that somehow something will happen and they will make the breakthrough into a better, more rewarding and highly successful life. Sadly, I’ve seen them exhaust themselves until there was no more fight left within them. Instead of leading a normal life, their hearts turn bitter and they end up becoming lonely.

One of my seminary professors at Glasgow University once said something like: “The world is full of restless people. They are always striving to make more money, be more successful, and to satisfy their desires. They don’t realize that they are empty inside – an emptiness that can only be filled by God.”

I guess this is why Jesus invites people to come to Him. He knows about our struggles with life, our wrestling with emotions, and our fighting against our feelings. He offers us rest for our restlessness, peace for our minds, and presence for our loneliness. He calls it a yoke, not a burden. Why? It’s because a yoke is shared, where two can carry and pull the burden easier. In other words, Jesus is telling us that He is willing to share our struggles and help us to carry our burdens.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are constantly applying more stress and pressure to our lives. We are weary of wrestling against ourselves; we are spiritually exhausted with the burdens we carry. Help us to come to You to take up Your offer of sharing our troubles. Grant us rest for our souls and hope for our hearts. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.