Respecting the White Lines: The Importance of Boundaries in Society

Some people want to erase the white lines.

On a recent trip to San Antonio, TX, I found the problem when lanes lacked white lines.

In the Alamo City, the roads are unfinished and under construction (as they are all over Texas). The orange traffic cone has become the national emblem of the Lone Star state.

I white-knuckled through one of the killer exchanges. Barricades threatened survival on all sides. The white lines that once marked the lanes were gone, a victim of bad traffic planning. My question is “Which one is the lane?”

When you don’t have the white lines, you don’t know where to drive. Another car may try to occupy the same space.

I needed the white lines. They told me where to go and where to avoid. It kept others out of my lane and in theirs. Without the white lines, I was in danger.

In our society, one question sands off moral white lines. It’s the question “What’s wrong with…?”

What’s Wrong With…

As a teen, we asked, “What’s wrong with…?” Take any subject and it fits.

What’s wrong with going through a red light?

What’s wrong with smoking, or drinking, or any of that day’s vices?

What’s wrong with a little white lie?

These words hold a lantern in hand, seeking justification. We strive to question the rationale of what is good, best, or right.

As I matured, I realized the question couched a problem. People searched for a good reason to do what was wrong.

What’s Wrong with ‘What’s Wrong With…’?

How close do you get to the edge while driving the winding roads of Rocky Mountain National Park? Do you flirt with the crumbling caliche at the edge or respect the danger?

“What’s wrong with” puts us close to edges, without considering the consequences, both near and far.

“What’s wrong with…” erases life’s white lines. It leaves life up to the whims of fickle emotions or personal prejudices. Danger gets amplified when your whims clash with moral codes.

In our world, white lines get erased in various aspects of life. Gender differences disappear under the guise of “What’s wrong with it?” Violence in the name of a cause is justified with “whatever it takes, and what’s wrong with that?”

The danger always threatens when the lines disappear. These lines are not mere physical markers on a road. They are the moral and ethical boundaries that help maintain order and safety in society. They provide clarity and direction, preventing chaos and conflict.

The Importance of Boundaries

Boundaries, like the white lines on a road, guide behavior and ensure security. They are the norms and rules that help us navigate life, keeping us from moral or ethical lapses. When we question these boundaries with a “what’s wrong with…” mindset, we risk eroding the very structures that hold society together.

“What’s wrong with…” might seem like a harmless question. But it can lead to a slippery slope where the clear lines that guide us become blurred. In such a scenario, the risk of conflict, confusion, and harm increases.

How do we respect the boundaries?

Know the boundaries. Too many people have smudged personal white lines, losing a sense of right and wrong. Paul told of Alexander and Hymenaeus, who rejected conscience. List what you stand for, live for, and would die for.

Ask a different question. Ask, “How can I live my life in the best way possible?” Put a second coat of paint on the lines so they glisten even in the darkest situations.

Conclusion

The next time you ask, “What’s wrong with…”, consider the white lines. Think about the boundaries that keep us safe and ensure mutual respect. Don’t erase the white lines. They are there for a reason, guiding us and protecting us from the chaos that can ensue when we disregard them.