Articles
2018 in Retrospect
Certain passages of time – a new-decade birthday, anniversary, or high school reunion; a child leaving home or getting married; the date of a loved one’s death, etc. – bring special reflection. So does the change of a calendar year. One may argue that January 1, 2019 is just like any other day, but the human mind seems geared to ponder the present in relation to the past. And milestone dates get those reflective wheels turning.
Earthly life is cyclical. Every year holds similar observations and reactions to the normal processes of life. No doubt, in 2018 we have all said things like:
“Can you believe this weather? It’s never been this …” (cold in May, hot in November, wet in August, etc.).
“Did you hear about the latest …” (plane crash, terrorist attack, political scandal, etc.).
“Oh, dear, I just learned about the unexpected death of …” (fellow Christian, friend, acquaintance, public figure, etc.).
“You know, everything happens in threes …” (accidents, misfortunes, illnesses, etc.).
“The bug’s going around; I hope I don’t get it …” (squirt anti-bacterial gel now).
There is a repetitive mundaneness to life that must be accepted as normal. Part of the psychological knock against social media is the illusion that everybody else’s life is more thrilling than mine. There must be something wrong with me if I’m not doing something exciting and adventurous every day of the week.
Observation: This mundaneness is well-documented by Solomon in Ecclesiastes: “The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again …” (1:5-7). This is Solomon’s analogy on the enigma of human efforts: “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9).
In 2018 none of us found a cure for cancer, discovered a new species, brokered Israeli/Palestinian peace or went to Mars. Most went to work, tended our children, prepared and ate food, attended to health and hygiene, shopped, did banking, went to the doctor, worshiped, observed holidays, traveled, watched news, maintained property, serviced the car, played the same electronic game for the umpteenth time, etc. As individual as we each are, we likely did a lot of the same things last year.
So what makes life special? As Solomon concludes, it is not making a significant and lasting mark in this world. Yes, some have achieved outstanding and memorable things, but they are the tiniest minority. Our focus needs to be on the people at the epicenter of our daily interaction – immediate family, then radiating outward to friends, brethren and acquaintances in a gradually diminishing flow of influence.
This quiet attendance to our sphere is exactly what God expects and wishes for us. Jesus commends the widow for casting her two coins into the treasury while no one else noticed. Historically, holy women who adorned themselves in godly character and calmly accepted the role of a wife found favor with God (a la Sarah – 1 Pet 3:1-6). Paul instructed prayer for governing authorities “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim 2:2).
God is pleased with all those who execute life’s mundaneness with faithfulness, joy and trust that such a life is worth living because it has been appointed by our creator. If we are in a position to accomplish something truly remarkable in our generation, by all means do so. But we should not expect to define our worth by such greatness. Only twelve men in the history of mankind walked on the moon. How many can you name?
But God notices husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, saints, elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, those that pray, study, exhort, encourage, correct, love, comfort, help and otherwise serve their fellow brother/sister and neighbor. “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb 6:10).
So, for 2019 may all of us make it our aim to please God. Turn a deaf ear to the ever-changing tune of human expectations and reject the false and vain philosophies of men that merely deepen woe and emptiness. May we seek to make a difference to the lives that are closest to our sphere of influence. Get to know others at Centreville, particularly the people we interact with infrequently. Be creative; how can we pull others in and build a bridge of communication and concern? Who can we share our prosperity with? Is there an immediate need, or are there distant causes worthy of our conscientious support (charities, social agencies, etc.)? The need is all around us, and greatness in the kingdom is attending to those needs as humble as they may seem.
May 2019 be a year in which our understanding of discipleship crossed the threshold of a new dimension.
