Us: The dream killing cynics

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Life, Uncategorized

Well Hello, I realize I fell off the blogging wagon… AGAIN, but here I am. I spent the weekend in Tampa, and it was challenging, lonely, fun and beautiful, and I took 20 pages of notes (no exaggeration) at the conference I was attending. Obviously I am still digesting all of it, but this morning I started to put some thoughts together on the concept of hope. I’m processing as I write, but here is where I’m at right now:

We live our lives afraid to hope or dream because we’ve been taught by either experience, others, the world, the church, evil etc that it is foolish and we’re just going to be disappointed, so why bother to hope?

The problem here is our core being, our hearts were wired to hope. We cannot turn hope off entirely, so we kill it as it sprouts- experiencing small deaths every time hope rears its head at breaking ground. We don’t want to experience the pain of full blown disappointed hope, so we kill it as soon as we sense it, thus creating the illusion we are in control. We manage our hope by not being entirely present in our relationships, ministry, dreams, and life by numbing hope so we don’t really feel much pain, or much of anything for that matter.

The issue with not feeling is that pain was meant to be our prime teacher. CS Lewis says “Pain is God’s megaphone to wake us up.” If we don’t feel pain, how can we make good judgment- the lines begin to blur between what’s right and wrong. Hope is the capacity to dream redemption for ourselves and others. Talk about “unrealistic”- that sounds like an illusion, but to not believe in redemption is to minimize the Cross and say it was not enough- don’t do that.

To dream (or hope) creates a sense of purpose and self that opens doors for revolution. We’ve bought into the lie that we are so-so, average, not too good, not too bad people who are therefore not really much of a threat to kingdom of darkness. When did we start listening to the whisper in our ear telling us our life isn’t beautifully unique? Does this upset you?!

The sneaky progression of becoming a cynic, and not allowing ourselves to feel joy or pain is that when we stop hoping, we lose a sense of self. When you lose your sense of self, or minimize your role on earth, you lose a desire for justice. We stop believing in redemption. Pain, our own or others, motivates us to justice.

Awe and gratitude can change our hearts. Gratitude starts when we embrace the awe that is ours- our unique face resembles the King of the universe. It reveals a piece of Him that none other ever will or has before and represents a role that was cut out in this time of eternity for you- only you. Steps to repentance could mean identifying and facing how you’ve hated and tried to kill hope in your own life.

We all carry stories. They are ours forever, unique to each one. I’m sure there is heartache and injustice in yours. There is in mine. But if we lose a sense of pain, we cannot empathise with others. If we lose the desire for vengeance, we have no heart for justice, and if we don’t get angry about this we cannot be strong when others are wronged. I don’t know if Christians are angry enough. We can sure be mean, but how strong are we? What kind of wars are we fighting for justice? Is there any sense of sorrow or grief for the hurting? What about the widows? Orphans? Poor? HELLO!?! I’m angry over this. I am part of a “Christian culture” and we prefer the “comfort” of living as apathetic cynics.

Nope, not me. Call me a fool, but I am a dreamer. I will hope and dream for the impossible. So impossible only God can do it. We’ve got to be willing to bleed for our dreams. We’ve got to dream so big we’ll assuredly fail with out the Lord.

Permalink | November 10th, 2009

6 Responses to “Us: The dream killing cynics”

Am Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
WOW! amen
Jen Wilton Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Good word my friend. Thanks for that…good reminder.
You are beautiful- inside and out.
May we continue to dream for things beyond our grasp so that God can continue to show Himself to us in ways we never dreamt possible!
Love ya!
Carly Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Is that quote Paid is God’s megaphone to wake us up in one of C.S. Lewis’ books? If so, which one?
Kara Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Such a great reminder. I printed it out and put it in my journal so I can be reminded of this more often. I have huge dreams.. Dreams that only God can accomplish, and you girl have helped me so much with putting my faith and trust in him. Thank you. You are such an inspiration to me. I’ve told you that before, but reminders are good right Love you.
Kasey Says:
December 9th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Wow, thanks for the powerful message and reminder of the gift of Hope and to always surrender yourself to God’s amazing power as He and He alone can do mighty things if you just stop trying to control your life…
I was blessed by being able to see you in concert last night. I had never heard of you prior to the WWS in Boise, and your energy and spirit were amazing. So much so that I decided to search you on the web today and that is when I came across this blog which I have chosen to share with a number of my friends.

Your blog has encouraged me and opened my eyes to how I have spoken those very words to myself of being mediocre, just okay, not enough for more then what I have already received… I too love to sing for the glory of God… My heart and mind keep telling me to start writing music, but I keep coming up with excuses to not do it.. Like, “I can’t play an instrument well enough to do that…”, and, “Why do it? it’s not like you’re talented enough to go anywhere with it.” I have always dreamt of becoming a singer, recording albums, etc… But never really believed that I have it in me…I have been deceived, I know this. Why else would God lay it on my heart soooo strongly? I do lead worship for our church and I’m blessed each and every Sunday by the Holy Spirit and by the love that our team receives from the congregation as well. It’s an awesome feeling glorifying God!! I often wonder if the stage I stand on will be the only stage God has prepared for me to lead in worship…or if He has bigger plans for me?? Being a mother of 3 and a military wife I see so many blockades surrounding my dreams…. It can get so discouraging, and I lose hope…But it’s blogs and messages like yours that reignite that flame of hope. The burning desire to do great things in the name of God.

I pray that the remainder of your tour brings you incredible blessings. Thanks for touching my heart today.

Love in Christ,
Kasey
liz Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
WAW, well said ma’am!