There were at least twenty of us driving our cars at a dutiful 65 miles per hour when suddenly a car whizzed past us doing at least 80. He never saw it until it was too late. The blue lights came on as he sped past the state trooper we were following.
I know we are not supposed to follow the herd. We have all heard sermons about the people who wouldn’t get into Noah’s ark because it wasn’t the popular thing to do. But once in a while we should slow down enough to ask just why the herd is doing what it is doing. It isn’t always advantageous to be different. The herd isn’t always stupid and blind. While it is true sometimes the herd gets it wrong, but not always. Usually there are good reasons for why things are the way they are. Before we declare the herd to be senseless sheep we should take a few history classes. History courses aren’t in the curriculum merely to make us hate school. If they are taught correctly they will keep us from making the same mistakes our forbearers made.
Robert Frost wrote, “Before I built a wall I’d ask to know what I was walling in or walling out.” I would like to add, “Before I tear down a wall I’d ask to know why the wall was first built.” Taboos and traditions are/were there for a reason. God’s commandments were given for a reason. They are not there to keep us from having fun. It is just the opposite. They are there to guide us to the abundant life promised us by Jesus in John 10:10. If only we could get our young to know that. But maybe we can’t because we don’t get it.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 24, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 945474
Rogerbothwell.org