Traditions

Tradition: "an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior" - Merriam Webster 

There are all kinds of traditions to be found in the multiplicity of character types and personalities among the throng of humanity. Human traditions - some are amusing, some are mere perfunctory habit, and some are even repugnant, but among all of the possible traditions to be found, there are some that have far more power and importance than we give them credit for ... and losing them - a far higher cost.

In a society that seems bent on leaving traditions behind and forging a new way forward, I beg for a moment to consider where the trashing of some former traditions has brought us. Take manners, the consideration of others and courtesy for example. Where did leaving genuine courtesy and politeness behind get us as a human society? It doesn't take too much thought to recognize that the erosion of such simple and easy traditional values have helped generate a society of self absorbed, manner-less and impolite people. In fact, those traditions are becoming so rare that when we happen to run into them at the store, on the road, or anywhere, it's become unexpected. Why? And where did those fading traditions come from in the first place? Simple questions sometimes require simple answers ...

Here's a hint: (Jesus gave a great one) 

"Do to others as you would like them to do to you." Luke 6:31 (NLT)

Want another?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

 How about just one more? (Please?)

"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges: he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT)

Getting the picture?

This last one leads me to my Segway into a tradition that I really want to get to, but a couple of points I would like to make first. In order for anything to qualify as a tradition, it has to be passed on in order to be "inherited" or it defies the "traditional" definition. Unfortunately, the most important traditions - the ones that would make for a peaceful, content and happy society have been getting kicked to the curb for a long time while society tries to find a cure for its own self created ills in it's own intellectual kitchen. Somewhere along the line, one of two things happened - either some  people stopped passing on the cure, or some people in their own foolishness rejected it. Maybe some of both. Either way, the map to where they want to go on this long perilous journey got thrown aside. And either way, there'll definitely be some explaining to do. My advice would be to get back to the map, follow it ... and pass it on.

Now, my target ... There's a tradition right before us - a very old one that's been kept sacred by those who believe God, for a very long time. Easter. The observance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We should be deeply grateful and humbled by His self sacrifice - both for His willingness to die to save our lives eternal and for the sin that was ours, sin that necessitated such a horrific suffering and death of Father God's Son - But then, joy! ... and gratitude again at His resurrection - confirming to us that He is indeed the Son of God and that everything He said is true - including our having been redeemed!

Uncorrupted, the core of this traditional observation doesn't require dressing up eggs, people, bunnies or tables ... only bared hearts.

This is Easter before the Lord to the Lord's children. Your children won't know unless someone tells them. Pass it on.

"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)