The 1960's was a period of great social unrest in the US marked by the spirit of rebellion and general anti-social behavior. Perhaps spurred on by a protest against the Vietnamese war, the reaction resulted in draft dodgers fleeing to Canada and a vilification of those brave men and women who were fighting for the freedom of others. People retreated from society as hippies living in communes; they became vagabonds and were known as the great unwashed generation. Violent protest demonstrations punctuated the political scene, and there was a general disdain of law and order and the rights of others. Onto this stage stepped a former gang member from the streets of New York to become the darling of the entertainment world. Frank Sinatra epitomized the mood of his day in his style and choice of songs. Perhaps his most well-known song was 'I Did It My Way,' which contained words of rebellion and defiance. It demonstrated the spirit of arrogance and selfªsufficiency that takes all the credit for one's success. "I did what I had to do, and I saw it through." "I faced it all and I stood tall." "What is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught." "Let the record show..., I did it my way."
History is rife with those who have operated on this philosophy to their regret. People who lived only to themselves and operated from selfish motives usually ended up in disaster. Kings have been deposed because of arrogance and insensitivity. Religious leaders have lost their way by trying to do things their way instead of God's way. Saul and David, kings of Israel, were punished because they tried to do things their way. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was humbled three times for doing things his way. Belshazzar, his grandson, was found wanting for doing things his way. Moses spent forty years in exile for doing things his way. Judas died in infamy for doing things his way. So, the list goes on, from Samson to the apostle Paul, from Pontius Pilate to Saddam Hussein. We can see that doing things our way is not wise.
This brings us to the crux of the matter. Do we often direct our lives on the basis of selfish motives? Do we insist on our way despite evidence to the contrary? Do we consider what is right rather than what is expedient? Do we inquire of God's word as to the best course of action? Do we follow the example of Jesus? Are our actions in accord with the 'Golden Rule'?
Jesus faced the greatest decision ever faced by a human being; He yearned to be released from the burden of the terrible ordeal He was to endure on the cross for the salvation of the human race; He pleaded to be released from that responsibility, but in this terrible agonizing extremity, He placed His future in the hands of a loving and all knowing Father. Should we not do likewise and place our lives in God's care? To do so, we must be willing to do things "His way."
