Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, a Christian cartoon series, once quipped, “When our generation was very young, many of our parents broke their promises to each other, and their promises to us. And millions of American kids in a very short period of time learned that the world is not a safe place...Our grandparents were the ‘greatest generation’ and we have become the ‘most sarcastic.’” The most “sarcastic?” Hmm, I believe he's right. And just think, this statement was made by the man who was the creator and voice for Bob the Tomato, the kind-hearted talking vegetable. . . or is he a fruit? Vischer is a middle child, and when he was nine, his dad left home. He believes that this caused a deep insecurity to grow in his heart. And to hide his hurt he used humor. I think a lot of us have learned to laugh when we are the most crushed. However, if you allow the bitterness from pain to gain a foothold in your heart, humor can turn dark. And sarcasm and cynicism can result. Sarcasm isn’t always wrong, but the longer it lingers it will turn into cynicism. And cynicism is deadly. As one disenchanted college student wrote, “The Cynic sees the problems, and longs to change them, but doesn't know how. There's not enough money; there's not enough laws; the lawmakers are fools. Do we choose lumbermen or do we choose the spotted owl? Do we sacrifice education for law enforcement? Do we axe the space program or do we axe welfare? Paper or plastic? Who has the wisdom to know the answers? 'That's nice, but in the long run, it doesn't matter. Everyone dies, and then what use is it?'" So the cynic hides his hopelessness behind sarcasm and snark. One writer says, “Cynicism stems from disappointment. Cynical and faithless people were not always like that." Jeff Bridges writes, "...they have been hurt, they’re sensitive, and their cynicism is a shell protecting this tiny, dear part in them that is still alive.” Are you cynical? If you have been hurt by the world, which we all have, you need to acknowledge that part of you that is still alive. Instead of destroying everyone and everything around you with poisonous words of contempt, let Christ in. Remember, Jesus was hated by the world and yet he chose to love. He was crucified. Hung up on a cross to die. And he still prayed for his enemies, healed the sick, and allowed the little children to come. Why? Because he knew his Father has the power to resurrect the dead. Cynicism is the language of unbelief, it lies about the goodness of a living God. A God who gave us his Son! Vischer, in the same way, didn't allow his hurt to destroy his soul; instead he used that small part that was still alive to fuel his creativity. He wanted to make a change, and Veggie Tales was born. Remember, as the great Christian campfire song goes, "It only takes a spark...." Don't let cynicism put the fire out!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
August 2018
|