From Bellbottoms To Skinny Jeans And Beyond
Neal Pollard Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 9:55AM 
Neal Pollard
Born in 1970, I was (thankfully!) too young to get sucked into bellbottoms and leisure suits. However, I was a fashion-child of the '80s. I am proud to say that I never owned a pair of parachute pants, but my African-American best-friend, Greg Gwyn, and I did wear Miami Vice apparel to school many days in the mid-1980s. Since I had a fro and his hair was cut closer, he was Crockett and I was Tubbs.
In the last few years, we have seen such fashion-savvy choices as "sagging" and skinny jeans. Sometimes, people's fashions cross the line of decency, good taste, and modesty, but some fashion statements are more embarrassing than evil. Given a few years, we live long enough to be embarrassed that we were drawn into something that seemed so cool at the time but in retrospect is funny if not mortifying. I don't suppose this is a new phenomenon (have you ever seen the 18th Century pictures of our founding fathers in powdered wigs and stockings?).
Humanity is infamously fickle, ever-changing and in search of something new. It is not unusual for a culture to be like the Athenians, spending "their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new" (Acts 17:21). We have a tendency to be ever-ready for the next new thing.
In stark contrast to this remains this immutable, rock-solid entity that transcends culture and fashion. It is the Bible. Remarkably, as fickle fashion comes forward then fades as fast, the Bible remains timeless and true. Certainly, it claims this for itself. David writes, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven" (Ps. 119:89). Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Mt. 24:35). Peter adds, "The word of the Lord endures forever" (1 Pet. 1:25).
But, observation constantly proves the truth of it. The "Golden Rule" will continue to prove fruitful for human relations (Mt. 7:12). The Beatitudes will yield blessings on anyone, anywhere, and anytime who incorporates them (Mt. 5:3-12). The Bible gives blessed assurance to those suffering whenever and wherever (Rom. 8:28-39). The Psalms give universal comfort, Proverbs give universal wisdom, Job gives universal insight and inspiration, and the list of examples is endless. Those who truly live by its pattern find the happiest, most meaningful life possible. Those who have tried it have proven it repeatedly. Thank God that for a changeless message in a constantly changing world!
Reader Comments (1)
Interesting read. It seems the natural instinct of humanity to always find something new. People have always been never satisfied. Thanks for sharing.