Cynicism, false messiahs, and real HOPE

In Disciple Bible study this week we considered two extremes in which people often live. The one is CYNICISM, characterized by a negative view of the world, people, and a sort of hopeless outlook on life. We all know people who are like this. They are always negative, always pointing out the flaws in everything. My grandma used to call these types of folks "nay-sayers," meaning that they put down any new ideas or possible solutions to problems. This seems to be the prevailing spirit in these times of economic tribulation.
But did you know that CYNICISM is really a religion???!!! Yes, it was founded by Antisthenes in the 4th century B.C. It was a religion that rejected all the usual forms of the pursuit of happiness in the wider culture. Not all of this was bad, as cynicism pointed out the pointlessness of greed. However, the Cynics (followers of Antisthenes) got quite a bad reputation because they ended up crticizing EVERYTHING, not just morally bankrupt behavior. Soon, they were simply known as the most negative, critical people in the world. Because Cynicism is really a religion, then it is completely unacceptable for someone claiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. Are you a Cynic?
The other extreme are the folks who believe the solution to all our problems (and the human dilemma itself) is one quick fix away. (I saw much of this that centered around the recent presidential election in which many seemed to expect Obama or McCain to be an "instant messiah" who would cure all our problems as a country).
The Disciple lesson this week encouraged us as Christians to reject either extreme. We, instead are called to HOPE, not a naive kind of hope that expects things to be instantly cured, but a REAL HOPE in the power of God to set things right in the universe. As a response to the great love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ and the incredible victory over sin and death that Jesus won, we are called as Christians to live out God's HOPE by sharing the love of Christ in a cold, cynical world. We do not think that we have all the answers, but we do know that we have the most valuable gift of all: the grace and forgiveness of the Lord.
How might you reject cynicism and false hopes in the powers of this world this week? Maybe feed the hungry, visit the sick or imprisoned, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked. It is the response that Jesus himself recommended to all his followers including you and me.