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Cultural pessimism
I recently spoke on the dangers of cultural pessimism, and received this insightful note in response:
Cultural Pessimism – yikes! We are drowning in this now, so much so that I often feel a bit like Pollyanna as I attempt to lift my friends up. It is strange to feel guilty for optimism. The pessimism erodes community just as surely as a flooded stream erodes its banks. Eventually there will be nothing left but a giant chasm with people at the bottom, sluggishly meandering in darkness, forever separated from the bright upper joys. Thus, cultural pessimism digs our own grave. This is not what our Abba has planned for us.
The solution is profound – life. Jesus rose from the grave. However pessimistic our culture, however deep our personal or corporate canyons, however dark our valleys, however sluggish our wandering, Jesus has conquered all. Those who trust in Him are raised to new life in Him. That is the awesome message of the coming resurrection weekend. The matchless prose of Ephesians 2 captures this antidote to defeat:
We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus. [Ephesians 2:3-6 CSB]
Therefore, this coming Sunday, when you respond at church saying, “He is risen indeed!” think this through. Because Jesus lives, you and I can overcome anything. We are spiritually alive in the heavenlies, and no pessimistic canyon came keep us down.
God bless,
Wayne