The Essence of Obsolescence

No one had the slightest interest in you…You were dumped in a field and left to die, unwanted…But I came by and saw you there…Ezekiel 16:5-6

Once upon a time in 2002, there was a shiny new silver TV that was brought home with great enthusiasm. She was placed proudly as the centre of attention for all to gather around and bask in the flickering glow of her (at the time) high-definition countenance. Value and prestige were added to the home she resided in. It was a golden era for the silver tele.

Then suddenly, darker and slimmer models began to appear in the catalogues. Her once proud servants removed the pixel princess from her throne and left her outside in the rain for anyone strong enough to carry her away. Hours passed and night began to fall. No one even took notice, until some bored and tipsy lads thought it would be fun to kick, smash and shatter all was left of her dignity. The last words she ever heard were, “Silver tele’s are so millennium…”

Ever feel obsolete, incapable or dare I say replaceable?

Is there ever a silent fear of losing your job, friends, spouse or even your children to one of the more exciting models out there?

It’s not only technology that feels the pains of upgrade anxiety. Governments, businesses, ideologies and the humans that create them all suffer this condition. It manifests as a grey and muddy sensation that is 2 parts fear, 1 part frustration and 3 parts _________ (you’re call). All of this, with an underlying crust of old fashioned self-pity. Some call it a slice of humble pie, but all will agree that it isn’t an easy taste to swallow: no matter how fresh or stale it is.

So what cam we do about it? Does an ancient Bible actually have an updated answer?

The Gospel was and still remains way ahead of it’s time. Don’t be fooled by ‘current’ headlines or fickle statistics. We were created with eternity in mind. It is our sins that added the expiry dates.

Someone came to address the situation; and like any great innovator, Jesus was misunderstood and ridiculed by his contemporaries. 2000 years and a million commentaries later, we are still trying to get our little heads around this big idea called, “grace“. It is this very thing that makes us eternally upgradable as we trust in our Creator/Upgrader. We were made in his image, not from a used blueprint.

Do the holidays make you a little nervous?

You will always meet friends and family with a few more updates than you. Take comfort knowing it’s not them who you need to please in order to find peace. Your heavenly Father will never chuck you out for another model or more ‘accomplished’ sibling. He has never-ending Love HD for thee.

Let’s get out of the gutter and be carried away by his amazing Grace 1.0 (no improvements needed—ever).

Remember, the best things actually get better with time.

With Retro-Vintage Love,
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

PS Silver tele’s still rock in my catalogue.