There was a (happy) time when I was a regular columnist for World magazine. I had a close relationshio with the publisher, Joel Belz. David Freeland went from being my art director at Tabletalk magazine to serving the same role at World. Nick Eicher was my editor, and friend. Marvin Olasky entered the scene. Relatively soon after I left the scene when I was relegated to the bench.
Though I had already been an editor for some time, I learned quite a bit more about the business. I was given relative freedom to write about what I wanted. (And through that liberty became the record holder for most negative responses to anything they had ever published.) But I remember being warned not to write too many “evergreen” pieces. I had to ask Nick what they meant.
An evergreen piece is an article that is not so tied to a passing issue that it will swiftly become dated. Evergreen was, by and large, considered not such a good thing in a news magazine. That said, it’s discouraging to think they want you to write what they know will soon be wrapping fish. I wanted to write evergreen pieces. They, in large part because it was what their audience wanted, wanted timely pieces.
In the thirty years since I had that writing gig (my stars, thirty years?!?) I have sought to solve this dilemma in a fairly simple manner. I do, from time to time, tie in something in the news, something that has the nation’s or the church’s attention in the pieces I write. My goal, however, isn’t merely to share my take on the issue of the day, or to persuade you to share my take. My goal is always to bring the ever green truths we need in all circumstances.
I want my readers to understand why tariffs are a bad thing. The reason they are is the same reason they would be the next time some Democrat president think’s they’re a great idea. The reason they are is because of this timeless principle- that we ought not to interfere in the business transactions of our neighbor (including our close neighbors, here within our borders). I want us to be able to apply the broad principle that speaks to the current circumstance to future circumstances.
The headlines may change but the principles are evergreen. That is because the principles are grounded in the character of the One who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the one controlling all things for His glory and for our good. That principle we must keep before us in times of hardship and times of ease.
As we know Him, as we delight in Him we cease to be men of the moment, who are in the end but momentary men, but fit for eternity. We live in light of these two truths, right now counts forever. And forever counts right now.