Malachi 3:1-4
Do you remember the good old days? What do those memories bring?
For me the "good old days" bring back memories of families sitting together and enjoying a holiday meal. The holiday may be Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, a birthday, anniversary, or even a celebration of being in the school's winter play (even if I was only the narrator).
These memories bring back times of being with friends, playing outdoors, running around and laughing. The good old days didn't include worrisome responsibilities beyond getting my homework done, nor did it involve much of anything beyond respecting my elders.
Then I grew up. I still had fun, I still played, but there seemed to be heavier consequences for my decisions. Adulthood took over, followed by family person. Life is now filled with a daily routine from which I get home too tired to enjoy that which I've worked so hard to accomplish.
And yet, if I take the time to look around me I'll see a new generation enjoying their "good old days" and that thought, for some reason, brings me peace. The things I enjoyed as a child were possible because of what those who came before me had done. What I am doing now is paving the way for those who are yet to come. The only question now is if I'm doing enough.
Malachi reminds us that when the "promised one" comes he will bring with him a purifying force. Jesus came and began a new age, showing us that the way to peace is unconditional acceptance. Maybe my thoughts went to the days of my childhood because it is there that I felt the most accepted by everyone around me.
The promise of peace can only be fulfilled when we begin making all our days "the good old days".
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