Glory Days

Have you ever heard the statement come from your grandparents, “Back in my day…”? For most of us, we enjoy reminiscing about our “glory days,” when we were in our prime, or when life was still new and uncharted for us. Something changes, though. At some point, we no longer tend to look at life with the same level of excitement and optimism.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:10-11, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun.” The point is we have to recognize the opportunities of today, rather than the successes  of yesterday. Learn from them (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6) – but don’t dwell on them.

Throughout scripture we’re reminded to “keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart…” (Proverbs 6:20-22) Or other times, for example, in Proverbs 1:8, 3:1, 4:2; not to mention the instructions in Deuteronomy, Joshua, many of the prophets, and of course the New Testament. We can learn a lot from the previous generation. And the previous generation can learn a lot, and be reminded of a lot, by listening to the younger generations. Our more experienced brothers and sisters can us inspire and motivate the younger believers. And, in turn, the younger believers can encourage and uplift the more experienced followers.

There is never a time we cease learning about the will of God. In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon reminds us that there is "...a time to weep, and a time to laugh… A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones… A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away… A time to keep silence, and a time to speak….” We have to evaluate our own role and determine when it’s the appropriate time to be the student rather than the teacher or be the teacher rather than the student. All of us have something to share that makes the body of Christ stronger and better equipped for service in His kingdom and for His glory.

Aim at making the statement from 3 John 4 true for you: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”