My dad was a good man who worked hard with his hands and built beautiful houses. He served in various ways in his church and taught third grade Sunday school.
It seems that Christians, and maybe especially those who hold to "total depravity," are often hopeful cynics. Cynical about human nature but hopeful that God is at work in, through, around, and despite us.
I wouldn't call your analysis here "cynicism." I think you are a "dreamer." And you are an idealist. AND you are a realist. I went into education believing I could change the world. Then, I was hit with the reality of disobedient students, enabling parents, negative colleagues, and poor building leadership. You might say that I got a more "realistic" view of my "idealism." Fortunately, however, I have never become cynical. That's a challenging place to live. God gave me the spiritual gift of encouragement, and I love to use that gift, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Cynicism easily and quickly becomes sinful behavior. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. And I am thoroughly enjoying Something Worth Living For. In fact, when the book first arrived, I thumbed through all of the pages and was thrilled to see your last section on prayer during the very week that I was responsible for teaching about The Lord's Prayer. That certainly was a God-thing. I was pleased to use and cite some of your material. Please keep writing so well!
It seems that Christians, and maybe especially those who hold to "total depravity," are often hopeful cynics. Cynical about human nature but hopeful that God is at work in, through, around, and despite us.
“…but still the beauty lives on…”. That’s the bottom line, countless lives were impacted, in spite of the messiness…thanks for sharing!!
I wouldn't call your analysis here "cynicism." I think you are a "dreamer." And you are an idealist. AND you are a realist. I went into education believing I could change the world. Then, I was hit with the reality of disobedient students, enabling parents, negative colleagues, and poor building leadership. You might say that I got a more "realistic" view of my "idealism." Fortunately, however, I have never become cynical. That's a challenging place to live. God gave me the spiritual gift of encouragement, and I love to use that gift, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Cynicism easily and quickly becomes sinful behavior. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. And I am thoroughly enjoying Something Worth Living For. In fact, when the book first arrived, I thumbed through all of the pages and was thrilled to see your last section on prayer during the very week that I was responsible for teaching about The Lord's Prayer. That certainly was a God-thing. I was pleased to use and cite some of your material. Please keep writing so well!