The Premier League celebrated 20 seasons of existence with the crowning of Manchester City as champions. Don’t worry, this is not a football entry. That’s over at The Other Place tomorrow. I mention it just because I’m able to watch reviews of 18 of 20 of those 20 seasons. I don’t mind a bit of nostalgia from time to time, so I had a look at the first season back in 1992-93. to give you an idea of how long ago it was, Bill Clinton became President of the United States of America and Princess Di separated from Prince Charles.
As I watched the review programme it occurred to me how things have changed. I would have been 14 at the time turning 15. As I didn’t have Sky I wouldn’t be able to watch the football, but I’m sure I was catching up on it through radio and magazines. In the larger picture, though when I think back to the Christopher Dryden of 1992 (known as Chris at the time, because I didn’t know any better, but now I do) and compare him to now, I notice quite a number of changes. Sure we can look at the marital status, children, employment and accommodation, but I don’t just mean that. I’m referring to how I thought, what I thought and what influenced me.
It occurred to me that it’s actually a sign of growth to see how you’ve changed – especially when you’ve changed for the better. Recently I’ve found it difficult to see positives about me, but with the help of good friends, I appreciate that there have been changes for the better. I am not where I used to be, I don’t think what I used to think, on some very crucial issues I don’t believe what I used to believe. I look on those things and wonder why that is, and what does it say for how I believed what I believed before? Yet it’s been a lot healthier to just thank God for growing up. Best not to accuse or blame others for what and where and why. Better to give God thanks for what I learnt at the time and how I’ve moved on by the grace of God.
It’s also important to note those things, because there is a deliberate work taking place in me, even if I’m not always aware of it. Even if I’m not always actively contributing to it and even if I am at times acting against it. The deliberate work through the love and influence of good people and the hammering of tough experiences and tough people is to somehow conform me to the image of Christ. So it’s no surprise to wake up and realise that what you believed 20 years ago was hilariously wrong. It’s no shock to wake up and realise that what you thought 15 years ago was laughably ill-informed. It’s no reason for cancelling life to wake up and realise that what you took as the norm 10 years ago missed the point by some distance. It’s no cause for alarm to wake up and realise that the interests and pastimes of five years ago are no longer necessary.
That is just a part of growing up – and if you cannot take stock of the steps to the place you’ve reached in life and not see those changes, there’s got to be some questions you answer. If some of those changes have been earth-shattering and traumatic, as long as you can look back and say that God is still for you and still with you and still working His Son’s character in you then it’s certainly for the best. If you’re growing, you have to be changing.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 