Picking Amongst the Ruins of History
When referring to the ruins of history, I’m pointing out the fact that much of history isn’t of much use to us, but when we pick through the ruins of recorded history, we can use that knowledge, learning from the vision that drove certain actions and events, and taking action upon that insight in order to improve upon what they were trying to do or say.
There are a couple of things I want to focus on here. First, in order to explore and pick amongst the ruins of history, there first has to be a history to pick over. That points to people of action that have, in some way, for better or worse, had an impact on people to some degree – whether it be by actions taken or words spoken or written.
This is very important for us to understand today, because the things we do, say or write could someday be the focus of some future student seeking out the history of our impact on the people of that time, and how it may help them in the times they live in.
Another significant element of what we do or say in our time on earth is this: while we attempt to do, speak or write with the available insights we have at the time, we can’t enter into analysis paralysis at the expense of offering up what we have to the best of light we have in the day we live in.
What that suggests is, it’s the responsibility of the historians and truth seekers to carefully examine what is said and done by a specific person or group of people in any one generation of the past and bring it forward to the future in a way it can help advance the truth and kingdom of God to a higher level.
So it’s not only our job to make a dent in the created universe in the time we live in, but also our job to seek out and properly interpret the deeds and words of history that help us to move higher up the mountain, advancing the kingdom of God.
This should be done in every area of life, as we apply the Bible unto the various segments of life.
We aren’t to glorify history as if the best days are behind, because they aren’t. Rather, we are to examine history in the light we now have, and improve upon what was done then, as we continue to work toward building the kingdom of God on earth.
