Reflecting on the past
Its hard not to be reminded of the imprint past generations have left on the earth, when visiting Orkney. The islands are full of ancient historical sites. Today we visited the Rings of Brodgar. Here is an ancient place where men and women in the ancient mists of time sought to find God. This reaching out to God shows a humility and an intelligence that somehow has by passed many in our self absorbed world. We have now progressed so far that we are even more moral than God. Well, I sometimes feel that, when I hear some of the "politically correct speak" that comes from all kinds of sources in our society. We have grown out of the humility that stands in awe of the God of Creation. The prevailing view in the Western World today is, we have the right, the power, and the moral understanding to create our own world, and make our own moral laws. I often wonder what the outcome will be for future generations.
What will be the marks that we will leave behind, and how will these impact on future lives? Since so much of what we produce is ephemeral what will we leave that is lasting and good ? When it comes to media will they have the computers to read what we write? What will be the lasting legacy? Will it be huge coffins filled with nuclear waste? Will it be a world devoid of rain forests?
Here in Orkney we can see some of the marks that Neolithic man has left. Stones still standing reminding us of their search for God. Yet today archeologists are still discovering more and more about these very sophisticated people. As I walked around the site at Skara Brae and also Broch of Gurness, I was reminded of what I've seen in the past when visiting Machu Picchu.
I know the buildings are not exactly the same but there is something that echoes a similarity, at least in my mind.The Inca people centuries later were still trying to find a connection with God through stones and the sun. However it is also a reminder to us that we too are leaving a mark as we pass through this amazing world. Have a look at some of the pictures that I've left on the gallery this evening for those of you who have time to view them. GALLERY
