"The Good Ole Days"

Yesterday I was reading through Ezra and Nehemiah. Two Old Testament books that often get...well, forgotten. They are both rich with stories of good leadership, great faith and rebuilding! As I was reading, I was challenged as I saw Nehemiah's commitment to leading by example and his prayer life. So many times he says, "then I prayed". I also love how he constantly gives God the glory for all the good! He was a tremendous organizer and wise man. Ezra was a great priest that did great things in the rebuilding of the temple and organizing God's leaders.

There was something that really struck me in the book of Ezra though. I haven't read it in a while or even thought about this concept for a time. Ezra wrote the following:

"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away."

Of course the part that struck me was the older generation. The ones who were clearly not satisfied with the Temple. And perhaps rightly so, having known it's former glory and the glory of God's people! But it reminded me of how our actions and reactions can some times discourage future generations. It reminded me how we truly can be a product of our parents and how much we do what "we know". It reminded me of many congregations that are dying and won't change to meet the needs of those around her, because they remember how "things use to be" or "that's not the way we have always done it".

God has done great things in the past, but there are still GREATER things to be accomplished. I some times get stuck in "yeah, but the old AIMers in Leon"...I didn't like them when they first got here, but they grew and did great things...sorry "old AIMers" ;). I hear myself say things like "when we first..." and "this use to be", but I have to catch myself and remember God is faithful. That's not to say that we are the "new" less glorious temple, because God continues to do great things.

I just wanted to share this passage with you and remind you (especially remind me!) that we are an example of faith to younger generations. I realize I'm still young, but the youth group in McAlester was more along the lines of 40 something with various occasions as much as double that. I currently work with right around 20 young people. Memorial Drive had a youth group of over 60 every Sunday. My AIM class started out at 82 people. Our preaching school class was much larger than the current class and the list goes on. Then I remember, I started working with the youth in McAlester years after the group had started and there was a dozen or so to begin with. God started this youth group with one young lady! Sure our class was 82, but our AIM class didn't go into Japan and other foreign countries where AIMers are going today, etc.

God is still at work and He is doing great things among His people! Praise Him for the growth and the good that is happening. Yesterday is over, but tomorrow is left up to our faith...He is still in control!!!