One of our newer family traditions is receiving a photo calendar. A large wall calendar with photos of four bright and photogenic grandchildren is a huge improvement and happy relief from the generic variety sent from local restaurants and funeral directors. The 2014 version of "The Giunta Family" calendar will be posted proudly for all our guests to admire.
The 2014 edition of the Giunta Family gift has a large flaw. The photos are "showstoppers," nothing wrong there, but January 1 is wrongly placed on Tuesday instead of the correct day, Wednesday. Someone made a "human error." If we used the otherwise beautiful work of art that kindles memories and warm affection we would likely show up a day early to appointments and worship alone on Saturdays! The pace of life is fast enough already!
I suppose we could ask everyone to adjust their calendars to ours. After all, ours is the most beautiful and satisfying to us. That suggestion is laughable! Jesus, the One who was present at the creation and who created all that is with His Father and the Spirit, taught his followers, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15) Jesus set the standard for behavior as "what I command."
As the Times Square ball dropped and 2014 arrived I was reflecting on the massive changes in world culture in the past 25 years. In the early 80's our church purchased a rather primitive computer, the first church in our district to own one. The District Superintendent called and asked what we were doing! Now, my telephone has greater capacity than that first computer. Information, old and new, is flying about like scraps of paper in a hurricane-like force, but what Jesus commanded remains forever.
The church calendars of our childhood and ministry now look quaint and outdated. All-night prayer meetings and times of corporate waiting in the presence of the Spirit, especially following Sunday evening services are now memories for many. A whole generation emerges that will likely never experience what defined the church that formed us. Systematic Bible study is now often replaced with thematic curricula focusing on self-improvement. Technology allows changes to occur more quickly than ever.
Change is not wrong and is needed. Change usually includes improvements. Calendar changes are routine. Last year began on a Tuesday, 2014 on Wednesday. At the same time we must remain aware of the constants. "Obey what I command," has no substitute. God’s Word, like the Wegner-Guinta birthdays remain on June 2, 12, 21 and 22 year after year. Anniversaries and July 4th are immoveable. While we live in a self-based culture which insists on recklessly redefining marriage, morality and mores, Jesus keeps saying to us, "The words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:24)
This year I suggest that we who are serious followers of Jesus devote ourselves to growing in knowledge of God’s Word, that we rediscover the benefits of silence and reinforce the discipline of quiet reflection. It is essential that the Spirit of God finds His opportunity to speak while we are still. Let us believe someone, somewhere will suggest a new forum for corporate waiting, quiet seeking . . . to reintroduce a format for open-ended time of lingering and loving the Presence. It needs to catch on just as much as the 2014 Giunta Family calendar needs to be changed!
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