Do not say, “why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. (Ecclesiastes 7:10, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “Someone had [wondered]. [Ours is] not to make reply, [ours is] not to reason why, [ours is] but to do and die. ” (The Charge of the Light Brigade, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1855).
We cannot turn back the clock to times that were better than they are today. Perhaps, maybe even likely, those in 1963 felt the same way about their current state of affairs compared to days gone by. Mutual Assured Destruction nearly realized during the Cuban missile crisis, political assassinations and the loss of innocence. Were things really better in black and white? Probably. But it was then, and it still is now, a fallen world. That time is past. The future [at least here on earth] is not a guarantee. What we have is the present. A not too wholesome present, and getting worse.
“‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’” (The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien). “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:6–8, NIV 1984).
“It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.” (The Two Towers, J.R.R Tolkien). The shadow will indeed pass. It really is only a passing thing. But there will be more “darkness and danger” before the end. Before the end “there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive. “(Matthew 24:21–22, NIV 1984).
“Sons of [the living God]! My brothers [and sisters in Christ]. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of [the saints] fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of [wars and rumors of war, famines and earthquakes] when the Age of [Grace] comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men [and women] of the [Faith]!” (The Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien). “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:9–13, NIV 1984).
My Advice – It very well could be happening in our time. Have you decided what you will do with the time that is given you? It is not wise to question why the old days were better. Your path is forward.
Too afraid of what the future may bring? Wondering how the end could be happy? Even the darkness that is “unequaled from the beginning of the world” will pass. What’s more, it will not go back to the way it was before so much bad had happened. It will be far, far, better than the days of black and white. This should be your path.
This is not the day for your courage to fail. To break the bonds of fellowship. For love to grow cold. To turn away from the faith. This is the day to stand firm. This is the day we fight. For His Kingdom (but not as the world fights). I bid you stand! By all you hold dear. A new age is dawning at the end of this path.
Where everything will turn out right. And where the good guys win the fight.
The Brew Is A Musing 