I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 14th of September, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. 

We start in the Book of Ecclesiastes 7:10: 

"Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." 

Then we go straight to the Gospel of Luke 9:62, which is very well-known scripture, especially to farmers. 

"But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:62

We can't live in the past. We have got to look forward. No man can plough a straight line if he keeps living in the past. Have you ever tried ploughing with horses? I have, oh yes - and I want to tell you it is one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had. I didn't hear the noise of the tractor's engine or the exhaust smoke blowing all over me. No, these beautiful horses, one in the furrow and one on the top, just quietly walking along and the soil just turning over with the most incredible aroma that one could ever want. It is a wonderful experience, but I want to tell you something very clearly. I would hate to have to plough with horses all day and every day. You see, the most I could expect was maybe one or two acres a day, and that is hard work, let me tell you, depending on the soil type. Now, with a modern tractor, sitting in that cab, with air-conditioning, you can plough maybe thirty, forty, or even fifty acres a day with these big tractors. Having sweet memories of the past is good, but we must be realistic. We have got to move forward, especially for the sake of our young people. 

You say, "I remember the old days when we drove in our pick-up." Ja, but your pick-up had no air-conditioning. Remember the dust coming in? I used to go out to a dance in the evening, wearing a white coat like Jesse James, the cowboy, and when I got to the party, I had to take my dust-coat off because I was so covered in dust. No, we thank the Lord that we have vehicles that have air-conditioning and are very pleasant to drive.  

So have good memories of the past, definitely - and let's look forward. Why? Because Jesus is coming soon. 

Have a wonderful day,
God bless you and goodbye.