“Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’” (Malachi 3:7 The Amplified Bible)
In our present times, people are wearing “throwback” gear as if it was something new. It’s not new. We just called them “hand me downs” back in the day. In pro athletics, “throwback” jerseys are being worn. Some people think that is novel, a new way of bringing back memories and seeing how things were way back in the day. Again, this is nothing new. Well, at least I can say that with certainty and from personal experience. Let me tell you why.
As an elementary student attending summer school, I was sent to the storage room over the gymnasium to pull out some playground equipment so we could play various games during a scheduled recess time. This was the best part of summer school, and it even topped smelling the re-coating being done on the wooden classroom floors that were not in use during the summer sessions. Entrusted with the key, I opened and entered the storage room. I admit, I saw some boxes and curiosity got the best of me. So, I meddled, quickly, because I did not forget why I was sent to the storage room. Yet, I took enough time to find some shining blue, satin warm-up jackets that had not been used for many years. They looked like the warm-up jackets that are worn in the movie Hoosiers. I would have called them “throwback” game gear, but well. I did not know the term exited at the time, or it had not been used in my presence before. Nevertheless, I asked the P.E. teacher and coach of all sports, if the basketball team could wear them in the upcoming fall season. He saw the excitement and eagerness on my face, and that made getting his approval easy. So, you see, wearing “throwbacks” is not new. Let’s get to a more serious, saintly look at throwbacks.
Our communities in the current time in which we live would be much better off if we would have a “throwback” day every day of the year. Somebody just thought, “I don’t want to wear no old stuff every day!” Wel I’m not talking about old stuff, but rather stuff that should never get old for the one who is a new creature in Christ Jesus. Let be “make it plain.”
I’m talking about wearing the habits exhibited by faithful church folks in our past, in times where opened doors to other arenas of life did not keep them from entering the opening door of the church. That’s a “throwback” day. I’m talking about the days where parents raised their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. That’s a “throwback” day I’m referring to days when it was not a rarity to see people showing love for one another, love for the brothers and the sisters, as a recognized Christian duty and a response to Jesus’ commandment to love one another. That’s a “throwback” day.
I think “throwback” days, such as the ones you see in the examples above, would minimize the number of parked cars in front of houses where people are sleeping in as opposed to getting up and going out to the house of the Lord on Sunday morning. If we returned to those Sundays where one would have to get to church early to get a parking spot on the church parking lot and would not have to park blocks away to walk back to the church house. That’s a “throwback” day. Don’t you desire that on Sunday mornings in the good old days, children would not dare answer their parents who were calling them to hurry to church with the words, “I’m not going to day.” That’s a “throwback” day.
If we had “throwback” Sundays, one would see the benefit of bringing their printed Bible to church, not only as a visual aid to show you trust in God’s word. You would learn how to use it diligently, rightfully handle the word of truth, and make use of the reference verses that verify, validate the truth in the text your attention was drawn to in the Sunday School classroom or the sanctuary. That’s a “throwback” day.
And listen, what If we had “throwback” days in our schools, students would come not only readily armed only with pencil, paper, books, but they would come to be made ready to begin the day, not with general announcements, but with prayer, and even the recitation of the 23rd Psalm. That’s a “throwback” day.
I think we, as believers need to revisit introducing “throwback” days where the word of God was the operating manual for living. Think about how we can bring about some aspect of “throwback” days for the sake of the world in which we live on this very day. Dawn the holiness that you were once not ashamed or bashful to be seen “wearing.” Put on Christian character, and not merely a piece of Christian jewelry that celebrities wear. Show your thankfulness by praying in front of others at your lunch table or even at home. Have a great day! Don’t just think “how,” but take action “now.” Today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and all days going forward, in some way or the other should be a throwback day. When you make a spiritual comeback, return to not being ashamed of being one of Jesus’ disciples everywhere you go, well hat’s a “throwback” day. Smile! Be blessed!
“Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 1:3 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King