At a meeting the other night a retired physician, whom I greatly respect and have known for over 20 years, said that at the age of 86, “I feel like I can’t step in the same river twice.” That may be a familiar phrase; it was written by the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus sometime in the 5th/6th century BCE. Heraclitus influenced many of the philosophers of his time, but his reach also extended to some of the great thinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries. This phrase, along with his focus on unity in diversity and change as a constant, pointed to the need for flow in life. Everything changes and becomes, he might have said – get used to it.
There are other ways to say this; lightning never strikes twice (it actually can, but you get my point). Jesus spoke about not putting old wine into new wineskins; new ideas need new vessels in which to mature. We might think we can go back to what used to be, but the reality is that we cannot recreate what we believe was the best time of our lives. That time may have been great, but the truth is that is probably wasn’t as great as our memory has convinced us it was. I use this quote from the great philosopher Billy Joel often; the good old times weren’t always good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems. “Behold, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah wrote for God. In Revelation 21, the one seated on the throne thundered, “Behold, I am making all things new!” God reminds us again and again that the greatest theological and human goals are about creation and re-creation.
The metaphor of water is really important; I love to stand at the edge of the ocean as the waves flow over me, changing with each motion as it goes in and out. Stagnant water, however, is a sign of death and decay; a place where mosquitos can thrive and spread illness. And while still waters may run the deepest, if they don’t move, they don’t bring or support new life. Life isn’t about doing the same things over and over; life is about new experiences and new ideas and new adventures. If we try to step into the same river twice, we will live lives of frustration and regret. But beware of the undertow (or undertoad, for you John Irving fans); moving water also has its dangers.
Heraclitus knew the deal 2500 years ago; he understood that while people are prone to fall back on what they know, it isn’t always a healthy thing to do. When we become too predictable or set in our ways we become bores. Tradition is fine, as long as it is alive. When it becomes something we do for the sake of its doing, however, it not only drags us down into a pit of boredom, it also keeps others away. The central task of the Almighty is to create – to make new things. We are part of that vibrant, exciting creation; we can do new things too. Don’t look back (Boston) – the future is bright and exciting and full of possibilities. If we let it be.
Prayer – Merciful God, You have called us to embrace change and be creative. Cure our stubbornness and teach us to flow with the changes – to be the change – so that all things might become new. Amen.
Today’s art is called “Changes” by Christopher Vidal.