What would worry me about erasing one event from history is the unintended consequences.
This was illustrated in a Simpsons episode where Homer travelled back in time. Making some tiny tweaks had big consequences for the future 😀.
I can certainly think of sad new stories or events that occured in my own life or in the life of family and friends that I’d like to erase. But I like to think that God has a purpose in everything. And perhaps, in heaven, people might see their time on earth as a sentence that they had to serve. Maybe some whose lives were cut short would think that they were privilaged not to have had to live here very long.
And maybe some who suffered will be pleased that they served as a wonderful example and inspiration to others. Both my grandfathers served in World War 1. I don’t know much about the details, but I’d probably be disappointed if I heard that they had a soft job at home 😀. Of course, it’s better not to have wars, but perhaps in heaven, I’ll be pleased to have stuck with Christ through the various things that tested my faith. Why should I yearn for an easy life down here. I do expect my future life to be easy though 😀.
I remember being very inspired by the story of Joni Eareckson Tada back in the 1980s. And she’s all over YouTube now. We showed her story in our college back in the 1980s.
And here’s a hymn that a friend in Cork once sung. I only heard it once, but it’s stuck in my mind for over 40 years. Some end up in heaven, and when they see Jesus, they wish they had given Him more in their lives.
Think of the story of Joseph. who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Don’t we wish that that never happened? Yet it resulted in him eventually having a high position in Egypt – something like a prime minister. And then he was in a position to save his family. Here’s what he said to his brothers when they feared that he’d take his revenge:
Genesis 50:22
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
And think of the crucifixion of Jesus. I remember going through the gospels in school as a child, especially the trial. Pontius Pilate seemed to be trying so hard to find ways to avoid executing him. I found myself wishing that Jesus wouldn’t need to die. Yet how would any of us be saved if He didn’t die on the cross for us?. That was the whole point of His coming into the world. And during a prayer meeting following his resurection and ascension, here is what was said:
Acts 4:27
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
They prayed this just as they were about to ask God to help them to spread the gospel despite the persecution that they faced. They drew comfort by reminding themelves that God was working His purpose out. And they were prepared to suffer and die for Jesus. Of course, much suffering has nothing to do with persecution. But even atheists sometimes seem thankful for the challenges that life throws at them.
So, maybe I’d just leave things as they are. I can’t change the past, but I can shape the present and the future – largely through prayer, but also in any other way in which I can demonstrate my love for God and others.
Hibernia Gospel 