Looking at life in three stages
What is your life? Even though this is a question from the Bible and motivation for the theme is taken from the title of a book on a Bible subject, the remarks will deal with our views of life from three different aspects.
During a recent visit of the Mars Hill Bible School book store in Florence, Ala., the title of a book by Kenny Barfield, past administrator and now professor at the school, greatly grabbed my attention and stimulated my emotions. At first glimpse, I knew I would treat that title in one of my columns. In bold black print on the cover of the impressive volume were “The things that were, the things that are, and the things that will be.”
As a side note, I need to say I knew of Kenny Barfield long before meeting him. The man was the debate coach at Mars Hill. During his career, Barfield climbed to the very top of recognition in the field of forensics as he led his debate teams to great accomplishments and prestige. My high school classmate and later my fellow teacher at Calhoun High was the late Sandra Worthington Silvers. It was Sandra coming from debate tournaments and telling me about Kenny Barfield. Both Silvers and Barfield excelled in their field. Often I heard Sandra commend Barfield and his debate teams. They had an outstanding mutual respect for each other.
Barfield’s book covers the first 11 chapters of the Book of Revelation in the Bible. The second volume is being prepared. I am writing Kenny Barfield today to commend him on the outstanding first chapter of his book.
But I said my remarks would treat our views of life from three different aspects or phases. So let me begin with: Often we have observed that at life that was determined mostly by our personal decisions and efforts of years long gone. The jobs we have, the house we live in, the relationships in our lives and all other aspects of life all fit into a realm we can call “The things that are.”
Suggested above is that many would change some of “the things that were,” should going back was possible. Situations in this point in life are “The way things are;” with careful scrutiny, consideration of possibilities, and diligent effort, less desirable features of life can certainly be redirected.
I have purposely avoided naming specific factors in personal lives. It will be left to readers to determine what changes they would make “In the things that are.” There are so many desirable and rewarding features in life. Study them; pursue them and grab hold of them. You and your children can by richly rewarded by properly treating “The way things are.”
The stories or radical changes from undesirable situations to those with enjoyment and reward are often told. I will leave this section by saying “The way things are” (good or bad) are not the way things might always be.
The book to which I referred in the beginning of today’s column took a look at all aspects of God’s dealing with His creation. By inspiration God revealed “The things that will be.” Of course those were all religious and spiritual considerations.
This writer has neither inclination nor talent to project the things that will happen in the future, whether on a worldwide, national, or individual basis. We do not know what lies ahead in personal lives.
The decisions we make today and paths we follow will largely determine “The things that will be.” May we all pursue paths and conducts to cause the end to be one of great blessings.