For as long as I can remember, I have loved history, especially finding out what the ordinary events of life were like. Pick an era, and I’d enjoy delving into what those people wore while they went off to battle, who cooked what they ate for dinner, and what sort of tools they used to gain a living.
Over the years, I have discovered that a lot of people don’t share my zeal for history. And that’s okay! Everyone has different interests and we need that. However, it does pain me when someone distinctly dislikes history, or thinks that history just isn’t for them.
I’d like to change that. I believe that history is essential to all of our lives even now. I’m sure you’re thinking of the saying that if you don’t know history, you’re doomed to repeat it, which may be true. But there’s more to it than that.
Picture this: not knowing history is like never asking your parents where you were born. Or what you did as a baby and toddler. Or it’s like forgetting your childhood and just starting life where you are now. You, or your friends or parents, might struggle with problems that you’ll have no idea why they exist. And if you don’t know the root cause, how are you going to solve it?
It’s the same with history, just replace the parents and friends with countries and peoples. History can help us in other ways, too. For example, the past can give us perspective.
Sometimes, we can get wrapped up in our own small worlds and dilemmas, and forget about everyone else. Not only what others are enduring and accomplishing right now, but what people have endured and accomplished in ages gone by. So many humans have lived their lives before us, with their own worries and triumphs; our lives are just a minute piece of the world’s story.
We can also remember that the modern comforts that we now enjoy are the result of human’s efforts for centuries before us, and be more thankful.
History can also comfort us, as we see how God works through the earth’s various occurrences of empires rising and falling, natural events, and even catastrophes. His plan can be seen through it all, and we can find stories of hope amidst the destruction.
If we remember these people and stories, we can be more thankful and effective in our own lives. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” Let’s resolve to be prepared, so that when our lives are history too, we can be sure that we gave an admirable addition.
On top of the more serious benefits that history can give us, studying the past can also just be fun. There are so many different aspects of history that there is something everyone can appreciate. Maybe you don’t like battles? Humanity’s lives have consisted of way more than just military exploits. What about explorers and pirates? Do the ancient Romans interest you? They had running water in their toilets, unlike many after them. There’s also the ancient Chinese who invented fireworks and constructed massive sections of wall across mountains. Or the infamous epidemic – the Plague.
I believe that whether or not you find yourself to be a history buff, learning about the past is something that all of us can benefit from and enjoy.
What I desire to accomplish with this blog is to inspire an interest in history in everyone, no matter what your preconceived view on history is.