“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14
It is now 2024 and the beginning of a new year. Some people look forward to the experiences and opportunities that await them this year, while others are not so enthusiastic about the year ahead. Sometimes that depends upon our individual perspective and what kind of year we had in 2023. But no matter how one views the past year, many believe that the future is trending downward in cultural, economic, and political ways, and are distressed and concerned by the direction our nation, and the world, is going.
There are several reasons why people may not be optimistic about 2024. First, there are 2 major ongoing wars in the Ukraine and Israel that could spread to other nations. Second, there are difficult financial and economic struggles that many people are facing. Third, there is political division in the US and other nations, and the growing desire for socialism, redistribution of wealth, and a focus on group identity rather than individual merit. In addition to these three reasons, it’s also an election year here in the USA (and many other nations as well). Considering our past few elections, this one will likely be even more contentious and uglier. So, with a difficult year ahead of us potentially, some people yearn to return to the “good old days”! They prefer the “then” to the “now”.
I just turned 70 years old and I often think back on the days from my past. These were days when life seemed simpler and less hurried with lots of opportunities. But the reality is, the past is gone forever and we can’t live in the past nor should we try to (see my blog from last November : The Role of History | FaithLife Ministries). While there are some things from the past worth hanging on to, such as our principles and values, we must live in the present and embrace a future filled with both change and opportunity. We must seize the “now” and let go of the “then”!
Consequently, I think it is beneficial for us to consider four things that are better today than in the past that might help to give us some perspective on now vs. then.
First, take personal computers. They have also enabled greater access to information and products & services than ever before. I remember having to go to a library for information if I wanted to know or learn something. Today, we have information and knowledge at our fingertips on virtually anything. We can search for information from all over the world and get answers immediately. Similarly, in the past we had to go to a store if we wanted to buy something. Today, we can buy what we want, when we want, where we want, and how we want without ever leaving our home. When it comes to computers, I do NOT want to go back to the old days when we did not have them!
Second, let’s consider communications. Today we have instant communication around the world through email and cell phones. Before the personal computer, there was only the US mail. You had to write and mail a letter and then wait a week or two for a reply (or longer if it was international). Today we can send emails across the world and get immediate responses. Before the cell phone, there was the phone in your home and payphones in high traffic areas. If you had an emergency while away from home, you had to go find the nearest pay phone. With a cell phone, we can now call for help immediately. We can also use our cell phones to send emails, get directions, take photos, and call from anywhere in the world! We also now have satellite GPS which enables us to plan travel routes, avoid traffic delays, and calculate how long it will take. With today’s communications, I’ll keep my computer and cell phone, thank you!
Third, what about air travel? Back in my younger days airfares were fixed and there were limited destinations, flight connections, and only certain days of travel to certain places (e.g. – weekly or MWF). Today we have an array of choices and costs and can reach virtually every nation in the world on any day and with relative ease. We can also book our seats in advance and earn rewards for our air travel. And after adjustment for inflation, airfares are less expensive today than they were 50 years ago as well. I definitely prefer the air travel of today to the air travel of yesterday!
Finally, while we may lament the increased secularization of our nation, the fourth benefit of today’s world is that we now have more Christian movies, television channels, radio stations, concerts, and websites to deepen our faith and reach others with the gospel than ever before! These are great tools that we now have available today that were not as prevalent or even available 50 years ago. It is certainly easier now to grow our faith and reach others for Christ!
These are four positive developments that offer us some hope for 2024 and the future. And while some things in our culture are getting worse, such as a lack of respect for God and the Church, the negative influence of social media, the increase in drug use, and the growth of all kinds of sexual sin, these things can be overcome over time with the gospel, prayer, and the technology tools the Lord has provided us with in today’s age.
But it is still up to us as individual Christians to share our faith, share the gospel, and to offer this hope to our fellow citizens. But to do so means that we must recognize the opportunities that are before us in 2024. Rather than dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18), we must go forth into the future, however bad it might appear, to bring God’s truth, God’s Son, and God’s hope to everyone! Then was then, and we can’t change it. But now is now, and we have been given the opportunity to bring about a better future starting today. Let us not shrink back from our call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and be the Salt & Light of our generation (Matthew 5:13-16)! There is no better time than NOW!!
And who knows, perhaps God is preparing us “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)!