“It’s mandatory.” Just that phrase makes me cringe.

“Mandatory” is very much a loaded word these days. You know where I’m going with this.

The word “mandatory,” of late, has been followed by either “masks” or “vaccinations.” That’s some dumpster fire stuff right there. And divisive? Ho-lee cow.

I’ll be back to this in a minute.

I’m thinking back over my lifetime, which is a challenge for someone who has trouble remembering his own name. Has there been a time when we as Americans were genuinely united?

There have been a couple of times I can recall. In 1969, we were all so collectively proud of our moon landing. I was actually in Venice, Italy, when the “giant leap for mankind” took place. St. Mark’s Square was dotted with televisions all over the historic plaza, with groups of people crowded in close. Occasionally, a cheer would go up – from Americans, no doubt. That was an event we got behind.

More recently – although to many this is ancient history – was the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Can it be 20 years? Wow. If you’re of a certain age, you remember just exactly where you were when the first tower was hit. I was pulling up in the parking lot of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board when one of my coworkers walked up as I was getting out of the car. “Have you heard?” he asked, and went on to share what had happened. I hustled up to my office, found a livestream, and sat transfixed.

For a little while, at least, we were united against a common foe. That unity didn’t last long.

Then along came COVID-19.

I won’t rehash the last year-and-a-half. I’ll just bet you thought we were done with this scourge back in the spring. Businesses were reopening, we were shedding our masks, and vaccinations were available. Social distancing became less prevalent. Those were good, hopeful days.

Look at us now.

I thought with the advent of COVID-19, we could unite against a common foe. No one has been untouched by this blight.

My bad. “United” is not a term I’d come close to using. What a shame. It didn’t have to be this way.

It’s pretty bad out there, and I’m not just talking about the virus. I’m talking about the mental and emotional toll it’s taking, and in some ways, it feels even worse than last year.

I’m more concerned about what the virus is doing to our heads than what it’s doing to our lungs.

Coming back around to my thesis, the phrase “it’s mandatory” has the ability to throw people into an absolute tizzy. I hear about loss of liberties and the upcoming demise of the Republic.

So, in full disclosure, I don’t agree with mandatory vaccines or mandatory masks, at least on the governmental level. I’ve had Covid, I’ve been vaccinated, and I’m at total peace about my choices. But I won’t cast you in my autobiography.

It comes back to that uniquely American sense of “You can’t tell me what to do!” I get that. I have enough redneck blood in me to bristle at being dictated to.

However, in some places it’s mandatory to get vaccinated because it’s a condition of employment. A privately owned business has the right to set their own hiring policies, within the boundaries of pre-existing laws.  Here in Mississippi, for instance, an employer can fire a hireling and not have to justify why, in most cases.

So here’s a little thought-provoking verse from ancient script. You’ll find it in Judges 17:6:

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

That second sentence, though.

If we say “It’s mandatory” about most anything, that counteracts doing what is right in our own eyes. There’s an “outsider” dictating our choices and behavior.

Of course, we don’t live in a monarchy. There is no king in the United States (and I’m sure there are some politicians who are disappointed with that.)

But in our culture here, there are some things that are mandatory.

Paying taxes comes to mind. You don’t have to pay your mandatory taxes, for instance, but there are consequences. You’ve done what was right in your own eyes, but there may be some repercussions from your choices. I could cite some more things that are mandatory, but you catch my drift.

Without some things being mandatory, then, chaos would rule. I guess we could talk about whether something is actually mandatory, but that’s some deep weeds to get into. Especially in these polarized, troubled times.

If you are a believer, though, don’t forget that obedience to God is mandatory. That doesn’t mean you can’t still make unwise decisions, because we all sin, and have to deal with the consequences. What it does mean, though, is that we should go to extraordinary lengths to do the wise thing.

Because – we DO have a king. He’s not an earthly ruler. And we’d best obey Him rather than doing what’s right in our own eyes.

Here, in these days, are some things that are mandatory for me:

• I listen before I speak.
• I view everything with the cross as its background.
• I accept that I may be wrong about some things, even things I prefer to believe.
• I must be willing to change.
• No matter what someone says, they may have a point.
• I can’t do just what is right in my own eyes – I have to be mindful of the needs of others.
• Regarding that last point: It’s Jesus, Others, You (me.)
• I will be an encourager, even when my empathy tank is just about dry.
• I will protect myself from unwanted negativity.
• I will strive to be around people who make me proud to call them friends because they are lightbringers.
• I will not judge unbelievers. God will judge them.
• When there’s someone I assume is an idiot, I’ll check myself and remember – I don’t know their story. They are behaving in a fashion that is consistent with who they are. They are precious and of worth.
• I will remember to ask myself, “In light of my past experiences, present circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what’s the wise thing for me to do?” (Sort of an Andy Stanley paraphrase.)

Believer, it’s mandatory that you follow Jesus. Do that, and life will take care of itself. You’ll know what to do.

Be blessed.