Years ago, a movie was made about the boy in the plastic bubble. He had an autoimmune disease that made him highly susceptible to anything unsterile, so his very existence necessitated his living in this seemingly sanitary, controlled environment. Not the way to live life but for him, it was deemed the only way to continue life.
How unlike our lives since none of us live in a plastic bubble. Everything we do and say ultimately impacts those around us and those who come after us. From the jokes we tell to the speed we drive to the games we play to the books we read to the food we eat (Watch out for the beans!), our choices have consequences.
While we hope that such effects are positive, inevitably some are not. The Bible reminds us of this when it reveals the response of God: “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations” (Exodus 20:5).
Thankfully, juxtaposed to the impact of our negative choices stands the grace and mercy of God which extends to thousands (20:6). In short, where sin does abound, grace does much more abound (Romans 5:20). Grace always wins!
How grateful we are to our God who forgives our iniquities and magnifies our acts of obedience! May we choose this day to flavor our neighborhood with godliness and depart from anything that’s questionable. We all have an impact. How is yours?