Where Did My Other World Go?

Hebrews 11:16 – But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

I truly am having a difficult time these days as I look around and see the changes in the world, and in the generations. I glance at things which is seemingly of little significance to others, but to me is profoundly disturbing. I come from a generation that held their “elders” in honor and addressed them in a respectful manner. A generation that all went to church as a family unit. And when we went to our classrooms, we dressed by the school code of ethics. It so happens my school wore uniforms. At the time as a youngster, I didn’t quite grasp the meaning, but now in retrospect I’m fully aware of the underlying message it was meant to convey. It allowed us all to fully concentrate on our schoolwork, and not on our clothes. Or who wore a better outfit, who had more money, who had “no money.” We were all equal, because we were all in the same outfit. And yes, we still had our own identity because we were able to express ourselves in our presentations in the classroom.

Anyhow getting back to the issue at hand. I almost feel like I don’t belong in this world any longer. I feel like an antiquated shoehorn that outlived its usefulness. Or an old-fashioned rotary telephone. For those of you who don’t know about “dialing’ an old-fashioned phone, it was something else for sure. I miss it! I loved how it felt in my hand as I played with the cord and entwined in around my fingers. I remember for hours how I’d curl up and talk to my friends as a teenager. By time I got off the phone, the cord was all messed up and I had to dangle it to get it straightened out!

I miss phone booths. The accordion type doors that shut while you sat on the bench to make a 25-cent call!  And I miss the five and dime stores, old candy shoppes. And I miss Sundays where everything was closed!  Yes!  I am from that generation, and I miss it!  This is a foreign world to me now.

Everyone is in an infernal rush. Things look different. Places look different. Stores look different. Oh, how I miss the small “Mom & Pop” candy malt shops, and bookstores. Yes, there are still some around, here and there. But they’re in the minority. This world loves “Big” the bigger the better. These huge shopping food stores are so big, I am exhausted by time I get around the aisles!  It’s like a massive museum filled with items.  Where is my small A& P store, or my tiny little market that had saw dust on the floor in the butcher shop?  Or the small card stores with real old-fashioned candy at the counter? Or the drugstores where you could get a soda at the counter while you waited for your prescription.

I WANT IT BACK!  Wahhhhh!

Okay, I know we can’t go back, but I can hold on to the great memories of childhood and when I was a teenager. It was the best of times. Born in the late 50’s, living through the 60’s and being a teenager in the 70’s! Yes, I wore bell bottoms. LOL Great times indeed!

But as His followers, Christians are members of His kingdom, which is “not of this world.” We know that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). And we need to push aside all matters of the darkness and put on our armor of light. (Romans 13:12)  We are waging a full-blown spiritual battle. It is not flesh and blood we fight, but against principalities, and rulers of the darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Ephesians 6:12)   And this spiritual battle is happening more than ever right now. (Romans 13:12)

We must seek His Kingdom first and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) And we have to embrace and rest in the realization that our King gives and grants us eternal life. The world and all of its desires therein will pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)

While we are here in the flesh on earth, recognize and accept that what we are enduring at this time in our lives is nothing but a vapor in comparison to eternity. (James 4:14)

This world is passing away as we speak, we are inching closer to the eternity with each passing day. (1 Corinthians 7:31)  But while we’re still in the world, we each have a job to do for Him and His glory.

Until our amazing King returns, we anticipate and wait (Titus 2:13) and believe and hope (Romans 5:5) and do what we can by His guidance, to bring our sisters and brothers into the “not of this world” intimate relationship with Jesus Christ!

“Father, may I aspire to do all that I am called to do in Your name, seeking You in all I do, and doing all I can through Your power and grace, to bring others to Your pasture, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”