Randall Murphree
AFA Journal editor
August 2006 – Live life on a whim, and you’re likely to find the consequences unpleasant. The other night I decided – yes, on a whim – to go to Ballard Park for the July Fourth fireworks display. In recent years, I’ve seen a lot of the display from the street where I live, not a mile away as the eagle flies.
But, after 23 Independence Days in Tupelo, I figured it was about time I experienced the event up close and personal. Ballard Park covers 100+ acres, with an outdoor concert stage, walking trails, skate park, a lake, a museum and a dozen soccer fields. The annual summer gala offers concerts, food vendors, a barbecue cook-off, family picnics and fishing. The climactic fireworks display tops off the day, dazzling crowds estimated as high as 15,000.
The park boasts 600 parking spaces. A crowd of 15,000 people probably drove 4,000-5,000 vehicles. Still, I had little trouble finding a parking space on the shoulder of an access road I was sure would put me right out onto West Main Street with little delay in returning home. Wrong. It took me 48 minutes to get out of the park and another 20 minutes to travel the remainder of the two miles home.
Consequences. It’s wise to consider them before we act on a whim. In more critical situations, situations of life and death, situations with spiritual import, situations with moral implications, it is imperative that we consider the consequences.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Ethics, “Do and dare what is right, not swayed by the whim of the moment. Bravely take hold of the real, not dallying now with what might be. Not in the flight of ideas but only in action is freedom. Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of living.”
Bonhoeffer offers a potent prescription for the Christian citizen activist:
• Dare to do what is right. Ignore the whims that would sap your strength; instead, make your stands based on Christian morality.
• Get a good, firm grasp on what is real. Ignore the “what ifs” and cling boldly to what you know is true and real and right.
• Take action, don’t just think about doing something. Political freedom came for our forefathers because of their decisive and dangerous stand against British tyranny. Likewise, spiritual freedom comes when we stand decisively on our faith.
• Get involved in the tempest of life. Only to the degree by which we become involved in our culture will we have an impact for Christ in our culture.
Bonhoeffer lived and died by those principles. The German pastor was active in the resistance against Nazism during World War II. He was arrested in 1943 and martyred by hanging in April 1945 because he stood firm for his Christian faith.
Bonhoeffer’s principles pretty much reflect the teachings of Jesus, don’t they? Be “salt and light” in the world, “be strong and courageous” in living out your faith, “take up your cross daily.”
Take a stand for Christian principles in the community. Uphold moral values in government. Follow Christ. It’s not always an easy decision. Not always safe. Not always fair. But in this case, the consequence is worth it – eternal life. Bonhoeffer’s challenge is worth considering: “Come out into the tempest of living.” 
