So, who’s the smart one now?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23

I’m of the mind that every generation things it’s smarter than its parents’ generation. So, they agitate for whatever change they believe will construct a better society. My generation upped the ante by freely using violence and terrorism to make its point and precipitated our current slide to Gomorrah. Today we see a wholesale deconstruction of a society that took over two centuries to build. The violence and anger is nearly unprecedented. The desire to eliminate every dissonant voice is alarming and, if successful, will end democracy as we know it. Chaos will rule.

 I understand many believe the time for change is now. OK, take a look around. What do we imagine things will look like after this younger generation breaks everything? If we naively think their intention is to build a better society we are part of the problem. Any of us who have raised children know one character of immaturity is a tendency toward violence when triggered. Children break things, in anger, without any thought of the consequence. They never look into the future and ask what “better” might look like. This is “emotional incontinence” and one task of parenting is to train that out of our kids. It makes me think “safe spaces” are nothing more than pampers for untrained hearts and minds.

I remember my parents’ generation generally lived with self-restraint, respect for authority and attention to their reputation in the community. And, our society was not perfect but was far more stable. Surely we need change for underrepresented segments of our society but, If violence and hatred were the answer, why haven’t we seen an improvement? Maybe...our parents were smarter than we thought.

I probably should have tried to learn more  about what informed my parents’ views on how to build a better society. I’d ask them now, if I could.

I fear John Calvin was right in saying humanity is not naturally good or enlightened or thoughtful or generous or patient. We are selfish, impatient and hatefully violent toward others. That does not give me much hope for the future. Unless, of course, we allow the Christ whom John Calvin served reform our hearts and minds so we begin to think and act as He desires.

Christ tells us we will be judged by whatever standard we judge others. If I judge you to be racist I will be judged by that same standard. Sadly, I’m unaware of what a completely non-racist society looks like so, I have a problem. If I judge you to be stupid, or ignorant, or worthy of my disdain...I have the same problem.

However, if I judge you to be worthy of God’s love, grace and forgiveness even if you don’t want it well, that’s a risk I can live with. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Live boldly out there today...