Bondage in Freedom

Humans are incredibly adaptive, as we see countless times throughout history. When a need arises, we rise to the occasion. But what about the reverse? What happens when our needs are met? Modern man can’t even walk 10 miles uphill both ways to school each day anymore!

Pardon my bandwagon humor. We proceed.

A culture of ease and convenience can yield some benefits in society. We have constant access to the necessities of life in addition to the innumerable comforts we hold dear. Life expectancy is high, and time abounds for pursuing chosen hobbies. I greatly cherish the opportunity to live in a free and prosperous nation and enjoy its comforts. However, it is also incredibly valuable to realize the softening effect it can have on us.

Will we who have always had step-by-step instructions for diving to and fro cultivate a strong sense of direction? Will we who have never had to live with a dull moment be able to function in the absence of dopamine factories? Will we who have always been able to look up any bit of information on command grow a strong memory?

These questions are ones I force myself to confront. To be a man who can provide for himself and others, what must I venture to learn? How can I develop my competency so I can turn and bless those I know? What does it look like to be a man of endless curiosity?

It is said that good times breed weak men, which has some measure of truth to it. But it is also said that bad times breed strong men, which seems equally pertinent. A classic example is the Roman Empire. It was built by conquerors and warriors who accomplished incredible things, yet it was squandered by weak hedonistic men. This pattern can be seen in dynasties and empires throughout history. Can we ever break free from this cycle?

This idea of a cycle of prosperity and bankruptcy has an interesting application when it concerns the stories we consume as a culture. Neil Howe and William Strauss conceived of the four “turnings” that repeat throughout Western history. The aforementioned four turnings are “The High,” “The Awakening,” “The Unraveling,” and “The Crisis.” In an episode of the “Novel Marketing” podcast, the hosts postulated the idea that the popular stories consumed during each “turning” greatly differ from the real-world circumstances of the day. For instance, stories with a cynical view of truth and heroism might prevail in “The Awakening,” while stories of timeless truth will surge during “The Crisis.”

It’s almost as if we are desperate to be pursuing some new thing once we reach prosperity. We are never content to rest in a strong society and uphold its virtue. There always seems to be a new awakening that destroys a culture from within. When it fails, we scrabble for the stability we never appreciated. In the Book of Judges, the Israelites engaged in the Cycle of Apostasy, rejecting God and serving idols, which led to their distress and enslavement. When God sent a judge to deliver them, they rejoiced for a short time before turning to idols once more. It does not appear much has changed.

Our country is at a moral crossroads. The Constitutional foundation we have lived by for centuries is increasingly under siege. We often worry about the possibility of another global conflict. Our nation appears to be in crisis, so where will we turn? Now, more than ever, stories of great heroism resonate with us because they show us what humans can be. What will we do when all hope seems lost and defeat stares us in the face? Will we take a broken shield and face down an entire army alone? Will we press forward in the face of overwhelming evil, or will we remain victims? Will we strive for virtue and service, or will we seek only to gratify our fleshly desires?

Whatever “turning” we might be living in, I want to be a man who strives for excellence. I want to challenge myself in this culture of ease. And above all, I want to uphold the truth and shine it brightly for all to see.