PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

June 7, 2023

NEW WINE

Last week I drove to the local TCU drive thru where I deposited several checks in my minister’s credit union in Ohio, to the post office where I mailed my license plate renewal form and then to CVS where I used the drive thru to pick up two prescriptions.  For many years the only way I could deposit checks in my minister’s credit union was by mail.  To renew my license plates I had to go to the local License Bureau.  Fortunately, the local CVS got a drive thru just in time for the pandemic, thus allowing those picking up prescriptions the option of not going into the store.

The car I drove for my three errands was a 2016 Ford Fusion.  We also have a 2007 Fusion.  The difference between the two cars is night and day.   I feel lost every time I drive the 2007.  It does not have a navigation system, informational indicators, back up camera, or Sirius radio.  Also, there is no phone option.  I can only imagine how more advanced the next car I buy will be over the 2016.

Some time ago when we were having trouble with our cable a representative from Comcast came to fix the problem.  During his visit he convinced Diane and me to upgrade two of our three television sets.  From my perspective the main benefit of the upgrade is the feature that allows me to vocally tell the controller what I want to see.  I do not need to be exact what I want, all I need to be is in the ball park and the feature will figure out the rest.  When I watch our third television which was not upgraded, I am lost.   Very often I do not know the number of the channel for which I am looking.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus has two interesting illustrations about patches and new wine. “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” (Mark 2:21, 22)  Jesus would seem to be saying that new situations demand new approaches.

The last ten or fifteen years Americans have been inundated with new wine.  Almost everywhere I turn there is a new product, a new way of doing things, or new ideas and concepts.  While I am happy with many of them, like the navigation system and backup camera on my 2017 Fusion and the upgrade for my television reception, sometimes I find myself longing for the good old days.  There is still the attraction for old wine in old wineskins.  I just hate to throw away old pants.  One more patch will get me a few more months use in the yard.  I like routine and resist change.

Perhaps what I need is a blend of old wine and new wine.   My 2016 Fusion has many new features that my 2007 Fusion does not have which enhances my getting to my destination safely.  Since we have had the car they have become the new normal.  Nevertheless, my two cars have more in common than they have differences.  My 2016 Fusion is a blend of mostly the old and some new.  To take advantage of the new, I do not have to completely give up the old.

I suspect that all of us have a different tolerance for change and the new.  Except for perhaps the real extremes there is no right or wrong approach, only personal preference.  For those who relish change, new wine is all around us.  For those who like routine, there is still a lot of old wine from which to choose.

This article was originally published June 7, 2020.