Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
We are just entering the window of time that 250 years ago started the American Revolutionary War. I find myself wondering if our view of the last 250 years is the same perspective as it was for George Washington’s contemporaries. Did they look at the year 1525 the same as we view 1775? My guess is “no”. For me, 250 years ago might as well have been 1,000 years ago. It took them months to cross an ocean; it takes us a few hours. George Washington didn’t go from Mount Vernon to Alexandria, VA and back in the same day. Today, I can drive from my house in Ralieigh, NC up to Alexandria, attend a meeting, and drive back home the same day (if I wanted to put up with I-95 traffic that is). The passage of time seems so much faster today. Was there a big difference between Jesus’ birth and 250 years later, as far as day-to-day life? George Washington’s life had some notable advancements from 250 years earlier, but I think the pace was still very similar. Today, I can’t even imagine what next year will be like, much less 250 years from now.
Like many of you, I look at my calendar, my ‘to-do’ lists, my fitness goals, and it seems like there is more to do and not enough time to do it. We have become so “efficient” with our technological capabilities (cars, computers, phones etc) that we believe we can “do it all”. I remember when I started the SMP program at the seminary. I was working full time at Fort Bragg, NC, attending my kids’ practices and sports competitions, and trying to find time to exercise. Available time was a scarce resource, and then I thought, “How am I going to add 10-15 hours per week in studying and attending class on top of all this?”
All these converging responsibilities can easily make us feel overwhelmed at times. I still go over the calendar with my wife even though our kids are off at college and have their own lives. I still tend to feel like there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it. But, I have learned (the hard way sometimes) that we need to take time to prepare ourselves for what’s next. Sometimes, that is just finding time to rest. Sometimes it’s warming up and stretching before exercise. (That’s one lesson I learned the hard way.) Sometimes it’s mental preparation and planning for the week ahead. Sometimes it’s realizing when to say, “No…I can’t add that task/event to my schedule”.
Technology is growing exponentially. Change is inevitable. But, 24 hours is still 24 hours and 250 years is still 250 years. Take the time now to breathe, stretch, exercise, eat, sleep, and smell the roses. We have to take care of ourselves before we can take care of each other.
Rev Alan Shaw is an Assistant Pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC. He is a retired Army officer and serves as a resource for the SED and LCMS with Christian Conciliation training, workshops, and reconciliation cases. He can be reached at alan@restoringharmonyllc.com.
