But it is so tempting!!!
My friend told me not to long ago that the image above and my repeated mention of it was about to hit “cliche” territory. Oops, guess I mention it too much! But for me, the options morph from “fear or hope” to “cynicism or hope” at times. While talking with a friend this morning, he said, “I can either be hopeful or just give up. I realize how easy it is to be cynical and it would completely justified.” I replied, “cynicism is easier.” We went on to talk about a potentially huge project and I found that hope made me feel alive, while cynicism was like slow painful death.
I recognized that I take less responsibility when I am cynical and that is 100% safer than having hope. And when I come to terms with this fact, I am reminded why, even though it scares me, I want to believe, I want to hope.
In a recent blog post, Michael Hyatt, the CEO of Thomas Nelson (the leading Christian publishing company in America and one of the top 10 publishers overall), shared his recent reflections on a public confession from a famous individual. He talked about the kind of backlash he got for his hopeful Twitter update shortly after the confession hit the airwaves. Hyatt shared about the five responsibilities he has as a follower of Jesus, when responding to that confession. One of these struck me with great force.
3. Believe in the possibility of change. Cynicism is easy. It costs me nothing. Belief, on the other hand, requires risk. He may be lying. He may fall again. He might betray us all. But if people really cannot change, then what hope is there for any of us? One of my core beliefs is that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). No one is beyond the reach of God’s redemption.
As I read his words that day, I entered experience that was jarring. I was presented with some new possibilities regarding a group I am a part of (that frankly I wanted to get on board with) and I heard promises and commitments made regarding change from those who give leadership. My knee-jerk reaction was, “yeah right, you are full of crap.” Cynicism was my natural bent. I had to fight to believe, to hope. As I went back and re-read that post again later in the day, I realized that cynicism was easier, it did cost me nothing. Yet, the high sacrifice, the risky route, the direction for which I would pay a price was belief that change was possible.
I will be writing in this vein from now until Easter. I know that I can often be a cynical and critical voice here and in other places. And my desire is to curtail this. As you continue to read my posts here over the next month, I pray that you will encouraged and uplifted by the hopeful content.
