Only
the new can be the best. Or so goes the message that we are constantly receiving
through various mediums of media. We are persuaded and convinced to replace
something old with something newer, shinier, nicer, better. We’re always
being told to upgrade to something else, to move on to something better because
there is always something wrong with the old. In order to keep up with the “ins”
of society you must be proficient in the newest, trendiest literature, music,
and entertainment. Surely vintage is coming back into style, but with a modern
twist; it’s not really vintage if it was made in China two months ago.
Even
as I write this I know that I have been very guilty of turning my nose up at the
suggestion of listening to and more importantly understanding old, outdated,
seemingly archaic ideas on faith, society, and culture. I am postmodern by the
way and I have enlightened myself to the point where I have done away with such
antiquated dribble. I love innovation and novelty just as much as the next
person. By nature I am a visionary and an idealist, always seeking for ways to
make things better, and immersing myself in the contemporary, innovative ideas
of my generation. They excite me and awaken me to unprecedented possibilities, a
fresh world. I know I am not alone. In fact, Modern History is characterized by
this idea of “progress” and “modernity”; the belief that, we as a society, are
always moving forward, making way for the new age of prosperity and a better
world. However, much of this “progress” led to destruction as the
20th century witnessed in two World Wars and many accounts of
genocide, to name a few examples. Therefore, I think we twenty-some things are
really losing out on an important aspect of the human story when we focus solely
on the new and contemporary.
Timeless
Truths
For
me, this is a large concern in my spiritual walk. I have come to discover that I
will most likely disagree with those who are much older than I am; those of
earlier generations. I automatically label them as traditional and conservative,
both of which tend to be the antithesis of my own label: liberal and
non-traditional. So naturally, I don’t even bother to listen to what they have
to say. I apply the same attitude towards early church fathers; those men who
are revered for their insightful works of literature and sermons. How can these
men have any relevant insights into my contemporary life and faith? My history,
society, and culture are so different from theirs.
However,
truth is timeless. It transcends the differences that exist between times in
history and culture. So maybe, even these men have something to teach me and to
teach you, if we would only listen. Clement of Rome was a 1st Century
writer and an associate of Paul. He had something to teach me about the nature
of change and what the life of Christ had to say about it.
Clement
of Rome, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, expresses this idea about
resurrection in daily life. Clement saw resurrection within nature; the sun
rises and then it sets just to be brought back the next day, to be resurrected.
This symbolism gave the word “resurrection” a new significance to me, a reader
in the 21st Century. Not only is resurrection seen in nature but in
the life of Jesus Christ. Not only is resurrection seen in the life of Christ
but in our own lives as well; in our history and in our culture. These daily
resurrections in our spiritual walks is progress, but not in a linear sense.
In
my own life as I have grown I feel like I have moved forward, then I move back
some, and then I move forward a little more, and then I take a big step
backward. It’s as if I am practicing some spiritual box step without going
anywhere in the end. This is the nature of the progression of our faith. We
experience a spiritual death (a trial, a cherished belief we must rework, doubt)
but God continually shows His faithfulness to us as He did that fateful day when
He raised Christ from the grave. We are resurrected, transformed, and made
stronger. Throughout our spiritual walk, even as we ripen with age, our beliefs
are going to be constantly challenged, for there is resurrection in daily life.
Our faith experiences the same death and resurrection of Christ. We die, and
then we are reborn. When we confess our sins we die to those habits, and are
reborn with a reinvigorated strength and faith. We overcome, we regress, we
overcome again.
Let
the Future Invite the Past
Our
faith is a magical, freestyle, ambiguous dance done for the One who watches over
us as we weep and laugh through our steps. To make our dance more sophisticated
and intricate we look to others for ideas and inspiration. Let us not cut
ourselves short and limit the real potential of our dance because we fail to
watch someone else that may be older and slower than our own feet. As someone
who prides themselves in being open-minded I tend to be the most myopic one in
the room. I encourage you to look towards the wisdom and guidance of those older
than yourself without losing the freshness and passion of your youth. We dance
together, the traditional and non-traditional, the conservative and the radical,
in one grand gesture of love and hope for own Lord and Savior. We are doing this
for God, who grants us grace over our own convictions, so let us give all that
we could possible give to Him, not affording to ignore those who could greatly
enrich our gifts.
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