I can be pretty cynical when I set my mind to it. Maybe that’s why I’ve always enjoyed the book of Ecclesiastes. I agree with Solomon, it does seem like most of life is pointless most of the time. I grew up attending church and felt like people often told me (or at least gave me the impression) that it is ungodly to be cynical. We’re supposed to be happy, right? We are supposed to trust God to make everything ok, right? Yes, but Solomon just knew there wasn’t a formula for finding meaning in life. Life is defined by tension and struggle and only a fool is glib enough to pretend it isn’t. Only a fool thinks that happiness is the only meaning in life. Only a fool pays little enough attention to actually FEEL content with his lot in life. One of the greatest gifts that God gives to men is discontentedness, what I like to call Holy Unrest. It drives us, it gives us a hunger for more, it points us to God—the only one who can give meaning to our lives and our inevitable deaths. I’m learning that a little cynicism is healthy. It keeps me humble – I haven’t figured everything out. It keeps me engaged – it makes space for questions. It keeps me hungry – willing to feast on the crumbs of truth and meaning that I find in the world around me – gifts of the God that Solomon so wisely advised his readers to fear, obey and stand in awe of. So, cynicism isn’t a crime…but don’t overdo it:
“Do not be overrighteous,
Neither be overwise—
The men who fears God
Will avoid all extremes.”
-Ecclesiastes 7:16&18
Peace,
Laura Cottrell
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