Over six and a half years ago, I wrote a blog for this space on the necessity for authors to be students of history. Awareness of past events is important to determine a current context, a healthy perspective, and a sense of how things change (or not). Sometimes, the long-term implications of an event are quite different than initially thought.
Most of us can look back on life events with a different perspective today than when it happened months, years, or even decades earlier.
We all can see God’s hand in our lives, but it becomes more apparent as time passes. Things I thought at the time were negative with no redeeming purpose are now viewed as positive pivot points in my life. And some things considered positive and important disappeared into the fog of my past.
Even beyond personal experiences, many writers seek to chronicle events and assess their long-term meaning too early. Until time passes, any event’s true meaning is incomplete. And often, those perspectives, effects, and implications will continue to change as more water flows under the bridge.
This is especially true when someone wants to write their salvation story quickly. While this is a good thing to do so it isn’t forgotten, the story is incomplete until time passes. The writer should recognize this, set first impressions aside, and let time pass.
Let’s say a successful, prominent businessperson or celebrity reaches a fork in the road and recognizes the need for Christ in their life. They write their story, and we are encouraged that such an influential person is now a Christian; rightfully, we pray their influence for Christ expands.
However, as time passes, because there is more to their life than the pursuit of money and prominence, they are not considered as valuable by those around them; and much of their money, influence, and fame are taken away.
They sell their house and cars since they are unaffordable; then life’s normal trials and challenges take over, and they grow into a new reality and perspective of a maturing Christ-follower. Fast-forward twenty years, now working for a nonprofit for a tiny fraction of the money they were earning two decades earlier, they write their story.
What is different? My guess is they have a strong sense of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and daily presence. Despite their circumstances, their life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, which grows with spiritual maturity. Now, as they reflect and write their story, it has much more depth and breadth.
I acknowledged Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord fifty years ago this week. That makes 18,250 mornings God showing himself faithful and merciful. I see things differently now than at the 365th-or 3,650th-morning mark.
Today, considering everything that’s happened since that day in October 1974, I can’t imagine thinking I had a complete picture so long ago when I don’t have one even now!
Rather than rushing to write about something quickly, give it time. It might get more interesting or completely different than you first thought.
Thank you, Dan. You’ve got me searching my memory banks for the “positive pivot points” in my own life.
A man fifty years ago did place
his footsteps on the moon,
and the road to outer space
would be opened very soon,
space stations zipping ‘cross the sky
lights moving ‘gainst the stars,
and then, oh Lordy, by and by
we’d be the life on Mars,
but that road had many twists and turns,
and only now we have returned
with the grace that hard graft earns,
and with what heartache’s learned,
that to make the young dreams real
takes many turns of pressing wheel.
Love this one Andrew!
Thanks, Amy!
Dan, this post strikes home. Thank you, and God bless.
How right you are, Dan. Thank you. You’ve inspired me to look back and see how the ending of some of my experiences has changed with time.
The essence of time. What a beautiful reminder of God’s eternal timetable. I am reminded of Edwin Markham’s thoughts on the making of a man. Thank you, Dan
Terrific point, and borne out by literary history:
War and Peace came out fifty years after the Napoleonic Wars.
Gone With The Wind? Some sixty years after the Civil War.
The TV series Band of Brothers? Roughly fifty years after World War II.
… not to mention the Gospels!
(Mark Twain’s novel Joan of Arc, IMHO the best Joan story ever — after 500 years!)
On a personal note, my Vietnam War novels didn’t begin to come together till 30 years after I left Vietnam, and would have been utterly forgettable, dated, puerile works had they been written and published in the ’70s.
So, I concur. Glad to read your thoughts, as always, Dan!