The Road Less Traveled

When confronted with a moral issue, do you speak out - or do you retreat into neutrality?

You see it everywhere, this dichotomy of thought, that one has achieved the pinnacle of enlightenment by reaching the point of having no opinion at all.

It's easy for the vagabonds who travel this road to rationalize their absence of position, and even easier - in this secular culture - to craft it as a superior stance: They simply claim to be able to see "all sides" of every moral issue. It's a ridiculous concept, one which declares a tragic indifference - because when it comes to right and wrong, there are only those two places to land.

These wanderers take the path of least resistance by assailing the character of those who, bearing witness to the mocking of God, jump into the fight and get bloody. They soothe and then silence the remnant of (what was once) their conscience by terming discernment, and the courage of those who act on their convictions, as "judgment."

But what makes their journey truly effortless, and therefore meaningless, is the fact that they never walk alone; if anything, they have a multitude of constant companions: Sympathetic comrades who follow the herd alongside their like-minded, no-minded cronies.

As a point of reference, you can understand why people are afraid to state a firm conviction. You should understand, because you should develop compassion for them; however, if you're one of these tolerant, benevolent types, then you've given in to two big lies: First, that interpreting the motives of those who do evil is equal to a mandate of acceptance; and second, that the mirage of popularity - a.k.a. safety in numbers - is equal to security. It's not. It's actually the opposite, because your very worth will be measured by the capricious nature of your malleable companions.

No, wait - there's a third lie: That sweetly, moderately accommodating the worst of humanity is the definition of "love". The truth is, standing in silent witness to the destruction of another is worse than hate. It's indifference.

Those who speak up often stand alone while the herd blindly tramples them, but they are the ones who live their lives in authentic freedom, and with enduring purpose. No one can dictate their opinions, or move them off of their foundation: They leave their imprint on the world through a love that will not be silenced.

The herd calls them intolerant. Haters. (Whatever)-phobes. Judgmental.

History calls them heroes.

Neutrality is the road that frightened people walk. And with so many sightseers leaving so many footprints, their path is now worn and widened to create an accommodating, level, and very comfortable journey. One of total futility, because the herd on the road much traveled is fast forgotten.

Walk away. Wander off the path that others have forged. Dissent, disagree, speak your mind. Go find someone who needs a hero: they're everywhere. And when those who march in lockstep - cowering inside their need for acceptance - lash out at you, smile and thank God for the fact that you left a mark on the world.

Safe trip, and Godspeed.

Until next time -

Jenna

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Jenna Brooks is a coach, a columnist, and the author of "October Snow". She has a brand-new feature on her website: audio mini-coaching sessions! Find them at The Senior Contentious Woman: http://jennabrooks.weebly.com/contention-aloud-audio.html

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