It’s said that the proverbial, historical pendulum has been swinging back and forth throughout the past. We’ve seen it here in the United States for sure. Republicans win elections, then Democrats win, then Republicans win again, and on and on. Those who are wise and patient simply wait for the return of the pendulum to their chosen party.
The unknown and potentially dangerous swinging is as it approached the apex, before the turning back. Everything seems to be going the wrong direction and nobody knows if and when it will be reversed. But it will be – it always is.
One of the primary uses for a pendulum is for timepieces. Because of gravity, the potential and kinetic energy exchange with each swing is what provides a constant ticking of the seconds. This action was first described by Galileo in 1602. Each complete cycle is called the period, and the length of the pendulum rod, not the weight of the bob on the end of the rod, determines the period.
But with the proverbial pendulum, the length of the period is unknown. It may be years or even decades before the direction is reversed. And it’s during this uncertainty that panic can occur. But unlike the clock pendulum, which when stopped the clock’s accuracy is distorted; man can affect the direction of the historical pendulum. At least he can in America.
The simplest step to take is to vote intelligently in every election at every level – local, state, and national. Or one can run for office and have a more direct effect on the pendulum. Using the influence of social media can be productive also. Writing to elected officials and attending public meetings and speaking up when possible is are important actions as well.
But the most influential practice to effect a change in the
pendulum is prayer. God works in the affairs man and directs the leaders of
nations. As Billy Graham said, “To get our nation back on its feet, we must
first get down on our knees.”
COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON
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