Back to the Future...But What Has Changed?

   The Associated Press includes this snippet in the news today (Wednesday, October 21):

"The future is today - if "Back to the Future" is to be believed. The celebration of the so-called "Back to the Future" Day on Wednesday marks the date - Oct. 21, 2015 - that the characters Marty McFly, Emmett "Doc" Brown and Jennifer Parker famously journeyed from 1985 to 2015 in the sci-fi film trilogy's second installment in 1989. "Back to the Future Part II" envisioned a colorful 2015 with flying cars, hoverboards and self-tying shoelaces. While those doodads are hardly prevalent today, the film did accurately tease the rise of such technology as flat-screen televisions, biometric scanning and hands-free gaming."

As the article points out, some things have changed in the past twenty-six years, while some hoped-for discoveries or creations haven't yet been achieved. Of course, there is more news for today:

• REP. RYAN SEEKS UNITY FROM HOUSE GOP TO RUN FOR SPEAKER
• SYRIA'S ASSAD BOLSTERED WITH VISIT TO ALLY IN MOSCOW
• ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU HEADS TO BERLIN TO MEET KERRY
• BIDEN'S DECISION EXPECTED AT ANY TIME

While each of these headlines is news to a journalist, I am struck by how none of this is new. Each of these stories, and countless others that will be reported on today, all have a similar theme: people grasping for power in the same-old ways. Ryan would accept power but wants promises. Assad is hoping power can be restored through might and offense. Netanyahu wields power but is like a pendulum always swinging with external forces. And, Biden is hoping that looking like he doesn't want power as much as others will win him the day. Today might be the future, but not much has changed. 

   Contrast today's headlines with some of the teachings of Jesus. He tells Pilate, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." He teaches the disciples, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth..." and later, "For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” And who can forget when he said, "If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don't withhold your shirt either."

   The world spins but the news seems to stay the same. Humanity grasps at power while the teachings of the greatest (and most powerful) person to ever live say we should let go and give away. I believe we are confronted with a great choice; what we choose will shape our futures. Grace and Peace, Scott