Growing Cynicism
Research suggests approximately 80% of Americans don’t feel confident their children’s generation will be better than theirs. Half of all Americans believe our best days are in the past. People don’t trust the media, the government or one another.
Cynicism assumes the worst, keeps others at a distance, and elevates our own judgment above others. It is pessimism rooted in pride.
The Christian story calls us away from self-absorbed cynicism and toward humility through wonder and gratitude for God.
Humility: A Well-Ordered Love
“Fruit of a well-ordered love. They are habits of our values, refined, reoriented and acted upon.” — Grace Hamman
Virtue is not perfection or simply good behavior, but the formation of habits that deepen our love for God and one another.
James calls us to a faith that builds a world shaped by love of God and neighbor.
Nakedly Know Our Weakness
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.” — James 1:13–16
God is not the source of evil. Our own desires lead us toward sin and death.
Humility requires taking responsibility for our weaknesses rather than blaming God, others, or our circumstances.
We must stop hiding, self-deceiving, and shifting blame. We must honestly examine our motivations, desires, and sin.
Know God’s Goodness
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” — James 1:17–18
God is completely good and unchanging. Every good gift comes from Him, and His goodness continually sustains creation.
“We have to decide right now whether or not God is good, because if we wait to determine that by the results of this surgery, we will always keep God on trial.” — Tish Harrison Warren
"We have to decide about what we believe, who God is and what he is like. We have to decide if anyone keeps watch with us. It is unavoidably—even irritatingly—a decision based on doctrine, first principles we return to again and again, the story we define our lives by." — Tish Harrison Warren
God's goodness is not determined by our circumstances. We must establish our understanding of who God is and trust His unchanging character.
A Universe Of Wonders
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." — Albert Einstein
Experiencing our smallness in God's magnificent universe restores perspective and frees us from self-absorption.
Self-knowledge without knowing God's goodness leads to despair. Knowing God's goodness without acknowledging our weakness cheapens grace.
Humility holds both truths together: our weakness and God's greatness.
“[Humility is] a proper sense of self in a universe of wonders.” — Joan Chittister
God's goodness persists even in the presence of evil. We are called to be His firstfruits, signposts of the world He will one day make new.
Cultivating Wonder
“Scratch any cynic and you will find a disappointed idealist.” — George Carlin
Cynicism distorts reality and diminishes the possibility of change. Christian wonder grows from honestly recognizing our weakness while trusting God's goodness.
Wonder cultivates courageous hope that good will overcome evil.
Practices For Cultivating Wonder
Put down the phone. Widen your perspective, look up, and reconnect with the world around you.
Pursue beauty through art, music, nature, creativity, and the gifts of creation.
Seek God through nature, community, worship, communion, children, shared meals, and friendships. Keep seeking Him, trusting His promise that those who seek will find.
Serve without anyone knowing. Give anonymously, volunteer quietly, and celebrate the joy of others. Become God's firstfruits and a signpost of His goodness in the world.
