On My Mind...
Have you ever done battle with the “good old days?” You remember the good old days, when never was heard a discouraging word and the skies were not cloudy all day. Back when things were different. Back when things were glorious. Every child has had the good old days thrust upon them by their parents and or grandparents. “Why back in my day…” fill in the blank.
My dad used to say, “I’d take off with a quarter in my pocket, catch the bus downtown, go to the movie have popcorn, pop and a candy bar, catch the bus back home and still have a nickel in my pocket!” Every pastor has been hit with the good old days, “I remember when we averaged 600 in Sunday School, we had 2 weeks of vacation Bible school and two 2 weeks of revival a year and we didn’t pay our pastor near what we pay you.”
The good old days is a formidable foe. In every age, every culture and every society there resides a tendency to look back with fondness on those good old days. Of course, the good old days are just the bad old days viewed from a selective memory. But the image is powerful.
The people of Israel had returned from 70 years of captivity. They returned to a Jerusalem that was a shell of its former glory. The walls were down, the temple burned. They had returned by decrees of Cyrus the Great. They began the rebuilding process with great enthusiasm, but they ran head-on into the “good old days.”
Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? - Haggai 2:3
By comparison their work seemed paltry, insignificant, a waste, not worth doing. How do you get enthusiastic about a long, difficult task that you are sure will not measure up? Rebuilding is always hard but especial if you have to compete with the good old days.
We are in tough times. These are difficult days. A sluggish economy, the lingering effects of COVID, an increasingly divided country. All of this comes at a time when the church is already struggling. It was already difficult to compete, but we have every reason to hope because Christ promised to build His church and assured us the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it! As you continue to read through the second chapter of Haggai, you will find some encouragement for difficult days. He makes it clear we must honestly evaluate our circumstances. Interestingly, the prophet does not say to those who are depressed, “Come on, it’s not so bad.” In fact, he seems to say, “It’s bad. In fact, it is worse than you think.” But he then points them towards God’s presence and power. Three times in verse 4 he says, “Be Strong.” Why? “Because I am with you. Fear not.” He then urges them to cling to the promises of God (6-9).
Times are hard. Building the church in the culture in which we live is not easy. But don’t lose heart. Don’t grow weary in well doing. Trust in the LORD. Remember, it is not our job to build the church – it’s His. Our Lord said, “I will build my church.” Our job is to obey and do our best to stay out of His way. It’s worth thinking about.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
My dad used to say, “I’d take off with a quarter in my pocket, catch the bus downtown, go to the movie have popcorn, pop and a candy bar, catch the bus back home and still have a nickel in my pocket!” Every pastor has been hit with the good old days, “I remember when we averaged 600 in Sunday School, we had 2 weeks of vacation Bible school and two 2 weeks of revival a year and we didn’t pay our pastor near what we pay you.”
The good old days is a formidable foe. In every age, every culture and every society there resides a tendency to look back with fondness on those good old days. Of course, the good old days are just the bad old days viewed from a selective memory. But the image is powerful.
The people of Israel had returned from 70 years of captivity. They returned to a Jerusalem that was a shell of its former glory. The walls were down, the temple burned. They had returned by decrees of Cyrus the Great. They began the rebuilding process with great enthusiasm, but they ran head-on into the “good old days.”
Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? - Haggai 2:3
By comparison their work seemed paltry, insignificant, a waste, not worth doing. How do you get enthusiastic about a long, difficult task that you are sure will not measure up? Rebuilding is always hard but especial if you have to compete with the good old days.
We are in tough times. These are difficult days. A sluggish economy, the lingering effects of COVID, an increasingly divided country. All of this comes at a time when the church is already struggling. It was already difficult to compete, but we have every reason to hope because Christ promised to build His church and assured us the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it! As you continue to read through the second chapter of Haggai, you will find some encouragement for difficult days. He makes it clear we must honestly evaluate our circumstances. Interestingly, the prophet does not say to those who are depressed, “Come on, it’s not so bad.” In fact, he seems to say, “It’s bad. In fact, it is worse than you think.” But he then points them towards God’s presence and power. Three times in verse 4 he says, “Be Strong.” Why? “Because I am with you. Fear not.” He then urges them to cling to the promises of God (6-9).
Times are hard. Building the church in the culture in which we live is not easy. But don’t lose heart. Don’t grow weary in well doing. Trust in the LORD. Remember, it is not our job to build the church – it’s His. Our Lord said, “I will build my church.” Our job is to obey and do our best to stay out of His way. It’s worth thinking about.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod