On Morality and Mortality
Every week for 90 minutes, I sit with 6 needles in my arms, legs, or gut while life-saving medication is infused into my body. It is my weekly reminder of my mortality.
“Mortality” is not a choice anyone gets to make. When it is our time, it is our time.
But this “M” word got me thinking about another “M” word. The only difference? One letter: “Morality.”
“Morality” IS a choice–every day, hour, minute, second–requiring a constant and consistent guarding of heart and mind.
Scripture is full of counsel and warnings to be heeded about the link between “mortality” and “morality.”
I am not saying that NOT living a life of “morality” will lead to one’s sudden demise of “mortality.” There is definitely, however, a cause-effect relationship between “morality” and the quality of one’s “mortality,” or humanity.
Stories abound–both in Scripture and in human interest stories–about the devastation caused by someone’s lapse in judgment, especially related to “morality.”
Relationships are broken. Lives are left in shambles. And the damage caused always has collateral damage that extends way beyond the epicenter.
Everyone has baggage they carry with them–sometimes that baggage is known, but sometimes it is not. Family baggage, especially generational baggage, is a real thing.
I have had to make difficult decisions throughout the years to protect myself but, even more importantly, protect my spouse and kids from the devastation that can occur from generational baggage. It has been some of the most difficult work of my life.
Have I been perfect in this? Not at all; I have made mistakes, and I have sinned. But by the grace of God…my wife and I celebrated 27 years of marriage together (after dating for 7 years!) in November; my oldest son recently got engaged to his sweetheart; my daughter has been dating a great guy for 3 years; and my youngest son recently started dating a lovely young lady from his school.
What is my point? Ignoring the generational baggage that I carry does not mean it isn’t there; it’s quite the opposite! I know it is there, and I have to be on-guard because of it. I do not obsess over it, I am not a victim because of it, and I do not make excuses; I acknowledge it, turn it over to God, and pray daily for strength, protection, and wisdom.
What about you? What is the generational “baggage” that is an unwelcome companion on your life’s journey? Even though it is unwelcome, it is, unfortunately, part of your story…just as mine is part of my story.
The bottom line: the holiday season brings out the best–and the worst–in us. It also tends to be a time of remembering and being faced with family dynamics that may be joyful and exuberant…but also painful and dreadful.
Let’s do whatever it takes to acknowledge the baggage and own that it is there. Then, let’s make intentional decisions to protect ourselves and our loved ones from it, and choose to get stronger and better because of it.