Are you able to warmly welcome the future as you would a new friend?
The late US senator Hubert Humphrey, a man with an indomitable zest for living, once talked about the “good old days.” He said, “They were never that good, believe me. The good new days are today, and better days are coming tomorrow. Our greatest songs are still unsung.”
What a marvelous spirit. Our greatest songs are still unsung! Quite a different spirit is found in a business magazine ad that pictures a newborn baby with the caption: “Only 22,463 days until retirement.” The ad is cute, but it picks up on a spirit of our day. It is a spirit of worry and anxiety. It is a spirit that tells us, “You don’t know what the future holds. It is likely to be bleak; even disastrous. Plan carefully.” You know what spirit I mean.
I have always believed in the future. And I will look forward to it with great anticipation. Why shouldn’t I make friends with the future? After all, I intend to spend the rest of my life there.
I am intrigued by a story about a bishop back in the 1870s. The bishop had charge of a small denominational college. Annually, he visited the school and stayed in the home of the president.
The bishop was a narrow thinker with a dim view of the future. He told the school president during one of those visits that everything that could be invented had already been invented.
The administrator disagreed. “In 50 years,” he contested, “people will learn to fly like birds.”
That kind of talk greatly disturbed the bishop. “Flight is reserved for birds and angels,” he said emphatically, “and you, sir, are guilty of blasphemy!”
The name of the bishop was Milton Wright. That name may not have a great deal of meaning to you, but something else will. You see, back at home, this clergyman had two enthusiastic sons – Orville and Wilbur – who believed that our greatest songs were still unsung. The rest of the story is one of an enthusiastic belief in tomorrow. You know how it ends.
Do you believe that your greatest songs are still unsung? Will you joyously welcome tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come? After all, the good new days are today, and better days are coming tomorrow.
Today, my grandson is taking part in Scholarship Day at Lenoir Rhyne University. He has sung many good songs making only two “B’s” during his twelve years of school. He has a 4.7 weighted GPA. This Scholarship Day may award him more scholarships so he can get into the Teaching Scholars Program and sing his unsung song of becoming a college professor. Over the years to come I know he has many, many unsung songs to sing. I pray that he sings a beautiful and uplifting song each and every day.
And so, we pray: Father, sometimes we have a mindset that we absolutely know is the right thing, only to find out that we didn’t include all you are doing in the world and in us. I remember a college philosophy professor who said: “Just when you have it all figured out… when your circle of life seems complete. Watch out, because that is when God comes and says your circle is not big enough to include all my children and all that I am doing.” Lord, I have tried to remember to never finish my circle, because I know that my small human mind is not smart enough to include your great love for humanity. Amen.
Grace and Peace
Steve
PS: Give my grandson a little thought today. Thanks
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The Journey 