A tragic flaw embodies a character flaw which leads to a hero's downfall. Something drives the hero in a tragedy such as, say, Hamlet, to his or her doom whether it be a drive toward indecision, or an excessive urge toward vengeance, pride, stubborness or anger, to name a few. Being the hero(ine) in your own life's story, will it one day be said that you were a tragic hero? What is it, or has it been, or what will be identified as the characater flaw (that is, if you should have one) that is causing, has caused, or will cause your downfall? Long after your departure, will there be any "if only's" attached to what might be your life's saga between the earth and the clouds? What decision are you making to seal your destiny? Will it be eternally flawed?
Let us cut right to the quick. A recent decision by one person to drive a motor vehicle while impaired cost a seven-year-old his life. This decision had been preceded by various others to persist in driving while in an inebriated state. All of the foregoing stemmed from a decision to drink intoxicating beverages in the first place. Decisions to persist in following particular paths, paths which can lead to self-destruction, not to mention the annihilation or incapacitation of others, can be blamed on the substance itself or someone else. But, the truth of the matter is that man must assume the responsibility for his own decisions, decisions made during this life and, most importantly, those made for the next.
Judas Iscariot began making decisions early about one of his behaviors. At some juncture he decided to help himself to the contents of the money bag, as his job involved the caretaking of finances. Once comfortable with this pastime, Judas graduated to a point where he formulated a monumental decision, that of betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. What constituted his tragic flaw in the story of his life? It appears that Judas loved another god by the name of mammon (money), and he served it better than he served God the Father and his Son Jesus. His downfall goes on record as being eternal.
Now Matthew, on the other hand, hailed from a lifestyle equivalent in today's terms to being one of the mob. That is, tax collectors during those times had a virtual license to steal. Unlike Judas, Matthew underwent a change in his ways as did the other disciples. Although people live their entire lives without any manifestation of a tragic flaw, living almost nearly perfect lives, one tragedy of an everlasting consequence befalls most. Whereupon people do meet Christ (as did Judas), nothing changes in their lives. Judas persisted in his ways, actually worsening in the passage of time whereas Matthew and the others underwent life and eternal life changes. In heaven, for all of those who do not arrive, the books will state clearly that each made a grave decision. While Hamlet's tragic flaw was that of indecision, refusal to receive Christ constitutes a clear decision to waste an eternal life. What a tragedy that could be for you, the hero(ine) of your life, leading you inevitably to an irreversible downfall!
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