LightGrams
November 30, 2017
Volume 21, Number 40
The idea of a time capsule is intriguing. Jim Croce released a song in 1972 that points to the seeming impossibility of putting “time in a bottle”. “It can’t be done” is how most people respond to such a thought. Time passes, and you can’t save it.
The people of Lancaster, in Schuyler County, Missouri opened a time capsule this past Sunday. It had been embedded in the foundation of a local school building for 109 years. The time had come, they decided, to reveal the contents of this capsule.
Not many details are given in news reports of that event other than “several handwritten items from the students of the school” and articles from some local businesses. One item that received interest was the string which bound the wrapping on articles in the capsule: “… how that string were able to hold its strength after 100 years being sealed in a container was a little bit of a mystery to me,” said local resident Bob Bigsby.
Just yesterday someone spoke to me of a couple who are now experiencing serious health challenges. They have been married for 67 years, I was told. What memories those two must have! Through the years they’ve seen many changes and have experienced much. Their minds are something akin to time capsules.
What especially strikes me about this couple and others like them is the durability of their binding. An old adage, “Familiarity breeds contempt”, has been proven true multiple times. It’s hard for two people to get along for a long period of time, but in marriage we see it fairly often. Those who surpass 50 years together are worthy of admiration.
Marriage is a gift God has given to people for companionship and intimacy. He saw the need soon after Creation: “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). Eve was thus created for Adam, and the institution of marriage was begun.
Jesus looked back to this event as an example to be followed: “… He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
It’s a happy occasion when a couple decides to “tie the knot” in marriage. It’s important that the binding material be of a good quality, something that will survive the challenges and the years. For that we suggest always looking to the Lord. His way leads to the best life (see John 10:10). He provides the binding that will endure.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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