Embracing 2011

I would love to have lived during the 1940s. With movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” making their debuts on the big screen, who wouldn’t? It was the Golden Age. One word that most accurately describes how I view life back then is simplicity. Movies didn’t need to be rated, children spoke with “yes sirs” and yes ma’ams”, and a warm homemade dinner was on the table every evening by five. Men were hard workers, and women had mastered the art of cleaning the house, making three meals a day from scratch, and looking after the children all while wearing a dress and heels.

While each decade we encounter brings about enormous changes, we can be confident that one thing will never change, and that is the character of God. Hebrews 13:8 says that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”. One thing that you and I have in common with Lucille Ball and Bing Crosby is that God created us and is our heavenly father. He has given us all the opportunity to receive His comfort and guidance if we want it.

While I longingly look back to the “good ole’ days”, I am reminded that God did not make any decade better than the others, and He has put each person in the time period that they are in for a reason. It will do us no good to wish that we could time travel or be disappointed with where and when God has placed us. His plan is perfect, and so is His timing. It is our responsibility to live the most God-glorifying lives we can today. We must not wait another day. Today is a gift that we are given from God. Tomorrow is not promised, nor should it be expected from us. We must take full advantage of the time God has given us, and do our best to be good stewards of it. Enjoy today and embrace 2011!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 [NIV]

Originally posted on facebook on January 6, 2011.