PERIODIC OBSERVATIONS How Have We Come To This? Thursday 09.18.14 Their website boasts, New England – the birthplace of America – is filled with rich history, cultural attractions, fascinating cities, scenic villages, and outdoor adventures at every turn. My Agnes and I usually do road rides to quaint villages nearby and beyond. Were planning to drive to New England to enjoy a glimpse of history. Occasionally, we drive to up to Pennsylvania. We admire the pasturelands, the greeneries and the carefully cultivated fields and farmsteads framed by Amish farmers using antiquated farm implements. We love to shop (mostly window-shop) at various Amish stores there. What amazes me is their lifestyle. They go about on their horse-drawn black buggies still sporting the eighteenth century fashion, reluctant to all modern conveniences. Their churches are still small and spired. Change comes carefully and slowly. Not to elaborate on the benefits of the advancements that are available now, I think its not favorable for them. Sometimes, though, its good, particularly when were talking about the basics of life and Faith. But what happens when modernity turns into a mess? Its not uncommon to hear stories of fine, good young girls and boys with brilliant minds, going to the finest universities and pursue noble profession, then somewhere along the way something goes wrong. Things go from bad to worse. The prophet Jeremiah confronted the same situation in his time. The nations beginning was grounded in faith. From exiting Pharaohs pillared portals to the parting of the Red Sea... to their Wilderness wandering ways – it was faith that kept the Hebrews going. The prophet reminisces about how the Jews got to this point. I remember the devotion of your youth.... Israel was Holy to the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:2) But something went wrong. Israel abandoned the old paths and turned to other gods and placed their faith and lifestyles on foreign alliances. Speaking on behalf of God he said, ...I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine? (Jeremiah 2:21 ESV) Looking at our society now, we echo the prophets cry, how have things come to this? The answer to this nagging question is obvious: we ignore the old paths. Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, WE WILL NOT WALK IN IT. (Emphasis added) (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV)
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:14:34 +0000
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