We are living at a time in which everything changes at an incredible speed. These changes in society, in the ecology of the planet, in technology, in the atmosphere, do not take place after many generations, but in a short time.
There are things that some years ago we were able to do, but today we cannot do anymore and things that we used previously, that today are out-of-fashion. I shall bring two examples. A couple of years ago, I was in the country where I grew up, in a provincial city where people used to sit outside their homes in the evenings in the summertime and watch the passers-by or just socialize with one another. Now one cannot see a soul in the street. People are locked up at home and they take many measures if they have to leave the house. Society has changed. There is no more trust among people and criminality has increased.
Another example: About seven years ago I bought myself a small tape recorder, and recently when I went to the same shop to buy some cassettes, they did not have any. The man could offer me only CDs. The diskettes we used in our computers a few years ago are totally out of circulation. Everything has changed in an incredibly short time. I will not discuss whether these changes are good or not, whether the computer is better than the old fashioned typewriter or whether it just serves better our hectic pace of life, our need of comfort and speed.
The relationship between people has also changed. Friendships are no longer what they used to be. Marriage goes through a terrible crisis, mainly because nobody has time for the other.
It is very difficult to adapt to these sudden changes. Perhaps the many psychological problems are a result of all this? Is it a coincidence that in the last century psychiatry has become such an important science? In U.S.A many people go to see a “shrink”.
But I have some wonderful news! “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). He who said: “I am the way, the truth and the life” does not change; we can place all our trust in Him. He is the only way to true peace, joy, freedom, happiness. He is the truth. In Him there is no lie, no deception, no disappointment. His is the only life that can make people happy and complete: spiritual life.
We can come to Jesus any time, just as we are, insecure, hopeless, disappointed, full of fears, with an imperfect character. He accepts us, but He does not leave us so. He does not want us to remain the same, to be like leaves on the wind, without a goal, without a support. He wants us to build up our life on Him, the Rock, so that when the storm comes we may remain. He heals our wounds, consoles us, forgives our sins; in His arms we find protection and security and without even realizing it we turn into a new creature and can live in another dimension. In a hopeless world we have hope. In a loveless world we have love. In an aggressive world we have peace. In a hectic world we have time.
Apostle Peter who experienced this wonderful change in his life, writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
We live in a world in which everything is corruptible, defiled, everything fades away but our spiritual eyes can see beyond all this into eternity.
Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever does not want us to adapt to this world that changes continuously and heads to destruction. That is why He tells us through John, His beloved disciple, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.” (1 John 2:15) In His priestly prayer Jesus tells the Father that His followers are not of the world, even as He is not of the world. We are citizens of heaven “from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…” (Philippians 3:20, 21).
In a world that changes constantly, even we do not remain static, but our change, as Jesus’ followers who have eternal life as a goal, is inside, “but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Therefore, “be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23, 24). Amen.
Teresa Corti