Based on a report called “The Rise of Post-Familialism: Humanity’s Future,” the world is moving in essentially the same direction. Cultural and demographic shifts increasingly afford folks maximum personal freedom to do what they want simply by keeping their options open. As a result, folks increasingly live alone, forego having children, and eschew attachments threatening to impede their personal achievements tallies.

In pondering this scenario, syndicated columnist for the New York Times, David Brooks, offers that people are better off when “enshrouded in commitments that transcend personal choice.”[i] Take, for example, one’s heritage. Only by transcendent commitments to God, church, family, community, and country are shared values safeguarded from parent to offspring. [ii]

In the Bible, for example, Lois and her daughter Eunice faithfully passed on their Jewish heritage to Eunice’s son, Timothy (which means “honoring God”). From early childhood, Timothy bypassed error of his Greek father while, concurrently, learning sacred truths at the feet of his nurturing mother and grandmother. In time, Timothy was distinguished as an anointed minister and constant companion of the apostle Paul.[iii]

Clearly, our nation is founded on a decidedly Judeo-Christian heritage. For good reason, Abraham Lincoln accepted that “our defense [as a nation] is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere.” “Destroy this spirit,” Lincoln warned, “and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.”[iv]

Think of it this way: When one has run her course in a relay race, she passes on the baton of vision and/or responsibility to the next person in line. Doing so preserves godly heritage and values for posterity. Not to pass the baton effectively disarms our nation and robs our children of their intended inheritance.

At Changing Worldviews & WOMANTalk, we invite you to undertake this honorable mission within your own sphere of influence. Let us, as Abigail, bravely take on responsibility, no matter the consequences.[v] Especially in perilous times, as these, we need “Abigail’s,” “Eunice’s” and “Lois’s” to pass on to their children and grandchildren transcendent commitments that, historically, have made our nation and her families strong.

-Debra