Chaos in Mexico
The Mexican cartel leader known as “El Mencho” was killed in a clash with authorities on Sunday, igniting widespread violence between cartel members and the Mexican military. Many foreign tourists were given “shelter in place” instructions and airport travel was disrupted, especially in Jalisco state, which is home to the popular resort area of Puerto Vallarta.
El Mencho, whose legal name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is responsible for large scale violence and drug trafficking, mostly into the United States. He was convicted for trafficking in the U.S. more than 30 years ago but returned to Mexico after serving a prison sentence and resumed the illegal operation.
Analysis and eternal perspective: Chaos and destruction in both life and death. That is the somber legacy of El Mencho. As deadly and chaotic as the scene of El Mencho’s death and the nationwide aftermath is, the destruction caused by the cartel’s trafficking operation is unquestionably more devastating. Untold thousands are almost certainly dead or addicted as a result of the illicit drugs trafficked by El Mencho. Both his life and death speak tragically of death, and his legacy remains one of destruction that will not unravel simply because he has passed from earthly life.
There is a famous line from the movie Gladiator, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” The line has taken on a certain amount of cultural lore, but it is really just a theatrical expression of a biblical truth. God’s Word speaks repeatedly of the eternal value, impact, and yes, even the duration of our actions in this life.
Particularly relevant in this story is the truth that our earthly actions don’t only reverberate in heaven but also here on Earth after we are gone from it. Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” El Mencho is no longer living, but both the stories and the impact of his life live on in the form of great devastation.
Consider today what the next generation will be told of your life once God calls you home. Will those stories tell of God’s mighty acts? Will they speak of and commend His work long after you have drawn your last breath? It is worth intentionally considering, because your life will echo both in heaven and on Earth long after your physical body is no more.