OVERCOMING CYNICISM
Cynicism has no integrity. Cynicism often properly evaluates the present, but it has no hope for the future. As Christians we are not without hope for the future. Christians believe in the possibility of the future. Our responsibility is to make a difference, not to drop out.
Recently a bright, young executive asked me to lunch. He opened the conversation by saying, "I serve on several Christian boards and have been invited to join two national ministry boards. But as a businessman I have become cynical at what I see. You have been in it all your life. How have you avoided cynicism?"
I freely admitted that I have a certain amount of cynicism—I hope, healthy—I doubt that you can be in Christian service as long as I have without it. Nevertheless, I assured him that there is an antidote, which comes in two parts:
Maintain your sense of humor. I have found that any human activity, whether in religion or not, contains the frailties of the race. To me, healthy humor eases the tension between where we are and where we ought to be. Too often in the most serious business of the kingdom, we act as clowns in the court. We play games, indulge in politics, defend our errors, deny our temptations. All of these situations can be a great source for humor. Sins garbed in ecclesiastical raiment are ridiculous. In such situations, it's much better to laugh than to cry or criticize.
At the risk of being thought irreverent, I will tell you about an experience in which you wouldn't expect to find humor, but I did. It was at my father's funeral, held in a large church with many local ministers in attendance. Officiating were the new minister coming into the church and the older, longtime pastor who was leaving. They were both great showmen, and the situation was too overpowering for them not to try to outshine each other.
Shortly into the funeral, I wrote my brother a note:
"Watch these two clowns outdo each other." One was known for his tremendous memory of Scripture. He reeled off reams of it. The other, older man was a great orator, and followed the young preacher in high style, causing the angels to fly off the ramparts of heaven.
I wasn't offended, for I knew if my father could suddenly return to life, he would enjoy this as a delightful show. His Irish laugh would have been heard throughout the church. Both were men of fine spirit and sincerity who just got caught up in a situation that became a contest.
Look for the reality amid the counterfeit. The more counterfeit there is, the more I am convinced of the reality, for only reality promotes and protects counterfeit. Counterfeiters don't make $1 notes, they make $100 notes. Where I see counterfeit, I look for reality, for I know it's there.
FIGHT THE RIGHT FIGHT
When Paul said, "I have fought the good fight" he didn't mean with other Christians. Yes, the Christian life is a fight, but it isn't a fight against other believers. They are not the enemy. Satan is the Enemy. We lose integrity by fighting other members of the body. We are forbidden by Scripture to do this.
For years I was friends with a theologian who happily accepted credit for starting a major conflict in his denomination. Once when he was castigating not only the views of the opposing leaders but also the leaders themselves, I asked him, "Are they going to heaven?"
"Oh yes," he answered.
I asked, "Then what scriptural right do you have for kicking another member of the body? If they are going to heaven, they are a member of the body of Christ, and if I understand Scripture, it says we are not to pit one member of the body against the other." The Lord said that the church was to be recognized by the unusual love that they had for one another. Yet factions and feudings began almost immediately. We don't have to look very far for evidence of Adamic sin. But we must be reminded that we are one in the new Adam.
A historian said that few battles over theology are ever caused by theology; they are power struggles, they are ego positions. They are strong leaders against strong leaders.
Keeping our eye on the goal, on the true vision and the finish line will keep us from cynicism and in fighting. We can oil the machinery with a sense of humor. We are all members of the family and should see the opportunities to exercise respect.
