WEDNESDAY’S WORD on THURSDAY – PRECIOUS – Sadell Bradley – New Life Covenant Cincinnati

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius These are challenging times. In the past 10 days, I’ve experienced 4 funerals. The shooting in Florida has left us all aghast. Racial and political tensions, #metoo revelations, the stripping of benefits for the poor, the threat of war, modern day slavery and so many world events are affecting us.

Sadly, the inundation of information and public discussion over the internet and social media has numbed our collective psyche and conscience. This atmosphere is cultivating at best far too many non-empathetic, if not sociopathic youth and adults for whom relationships…and even life itself is not PRECIOUS – of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly; greatly loved or treasured.  This truth is something about which we must pray and act.   

 
On Valentine’s day when we celebrate love and life with those we cherish most; thousands of families were ravaged by yet another act of domestic terrorism in a school-the 28th this year. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we as a Country had much for which to repent. Recent events have made me hold my loved ones more closely, and tell them how precious they are to me. The psalmist said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) Or, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so we may grow in wisdom.” (NLT) Life is precious. It is to be valued, not treated carelessly.

I asked some youth last night, “Why is life no longer precious your peers?” They mentioned over exposure through various sources of media. Our children have seen thousands more shootings, assaults of all kinds, foul language and inappropriate situations than we did at their ages. As we grew up there seemed to be higher levels of propriety in social discourse and conduct. Our news cycle was days…not moments.  Every person could not instantly post thoughts and video worldwide. We had newspapers, magazines, and 5 TV channels. Censors decided what we should and should not be exposed to. Our youth cited overwhelm and anxiety. An active village of parents, teachers and neighbors brought us perspective, discipline, and insight.
 
One young man said, “The older generation has failed us.“ The rest of the youth agreed, “They’ve left a void of wisdom and now we don’t know what to do! We’ve had to learn everything out in the streets.  Now that I’m older, I realize ‘they’ is US -I’ve transitioned from pupil to teacher. I’m trying my best, but many Christians have abdicated Biblical and personal responsibility in this area. Paul instructed Titus: