“Cynicism & Wonder”

But dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the Lord Jesus Christ with his mercy to give you life forever. Show mercy to some people who have doubts. Jude 20-22

The journey of faith is a conscious, perpetual departure from cynicism and return to wonder.

Depart Cynicism

Return to Wonder

Cynicism is a particular type of negative attitude that undermines trust by suspecting shadows within the motives and actions of others. It germinates in disillusionment and grows like aninvasive vine, obscuring a clear view of life.

Wonder is joyful curiosity. It is a complex emotion that includes delight in the surprise itself,as well as an appetite to understand the elements and mechanisms of the surprise. Wondercontains hope because it knows there’s something new to know.

Cynicism believes heroes are phonies, celebrations are charades, and fulfilling conclusions are hollow confections.

Wonder sees the crocus in the snow. Wonder cheers the unexpected recovery. Wonder knows disappointment and chooses to allow room for goodness.

Wonder refuses to tight-leash the heart.

Religion can flourish in cynicism but faith cannot. Religion can be knotted with distrust and frustration; faith flies from such entanglements.

Wonder accommodates faith’s full wingspan.

Pastor Scott Burnett

And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19