A national pandemic

Last year, I attended an informational pandemic conference in Appleton   for all church leaders in our area, warning us about the possibility and effects of a pandemic spreading across our land. My eyes were opened, that’s for sure. A form of the flu could take weeks to vaccinate, so it could spread fast, and be deathly. They suggested we have a plan for our church if/when something like that happens.

Then I thought how deceiving that is. How we would greatly fear a physical disease like the flu, and how we would feel so threatened for our lives if it spread. But I think there’s way more dangerous threats at hand, and we don’t even blink an eye at them. In fact, we participate in spreading them around, willfully and openly. I think the greatest of these pandemics of our day is cynicism. I’m not sure I go a day without hearing someone complain about something. It’s spread everywhere already, and it’s getting worse. We’ve become so accustom to our selfish demands being ‘satisfied’ immediately, that we don’t know what to do with ourselves when something’s uncomfortable, displeasurable or slow. So, criticism becomes our favorite friend. Let’s just get out our big guns and rip everything else to shreds. Ya, that’ll help a whole lotta nothin.

I know I’m guilty, and it sickens me to see it in me. Every time I see something, someone, almost any thought – it’s like there’s a line up of comments just hopping with excitement to pick a part anything in my sight line. These comments always degrade, pull down, attempt to nullify and kill whatever’s at hand. How do I rid myself of these thoughts? They don’t ever do any good – they are out seeking to destroy and destruct. I can’t watch any TV without (in my mind mostly) ripping on the news reporter, the acting, the graphics, the words chosen, I mean anything! Put something in front of me, I can rip on it. How sick.

I’m grateful I see it and dependent on Grace – I’m changing from it… slowly. But it’s everywhere, and it’s not alarming to anyone. People’s hearts are crushed, joy robbed, life sucked out all on account of others that can’t deter from having criticism rule their attitudes. Marriages broken, spouses demeaned, abuse allowed, friends wounded, leadership undermined, causes abandoned, God rejected, souls destroyed… all killed with the weapon of cynicism. Worried? nope, in fact we encourage this, and award it.

What sickens me the most is seeing it strongest in “Christians.” I strongly question true transformation in “Christians” who spend their time judging other Christians. Self righteousness pours out of their heart, with no shortage of disgrace and destruction shoved all over those we are commanded to love. Unreal.

My uncle runs a Christian music festival. Amazing how much time and effort put forth from he and his staff, to provide beautiful music, teaching and activities for tens of thousands of believers to gather together in worship of our creator. Rewind a hundred years, and this is unheard of. Amazing, truly, that we have this opportunity at hand. Yet critics don’t sleep at night till they loudly complain about everything from the parking to the skill level of a guitarist while playing worship to the King. You can never please the critic, never.

I want to help. I want to point out destruction of our vices, and yet not breath out the same disease. How do I speak truth, shed light on the destruction at hand, and yet not wish those effected the same fate they’re giving out to others. God, heal us.