Ok, since we are in confessional mode, I might as well start from the beginning if we're ever going to get over being pessimistic... As for me, I come by being a pessimist naturally. After, I hail from the great city of Cleveland, OH. This may not mean much to you, but if you've been around at all, you might have heard Cleveland being referred to affectionately as: "The mistake by the lake", "The armpit of America", and so on. If you also hadn't noticed, Cleveland does not own a professional sports championship since 1964 (Cleveland Browns AFL Championship), and those don't count because they're not the super bowl. Oh, speaking of that...the Browns have never been. The Indians? 1948. But what about the Cavs? Never. In their history. Most people also think of the Cuyahoga River catching fire, and the dirt and smog of the steel days, or the rediculously high crime rates in the '90's, or the fact that Cleveland was voted the poorest city in the US of A in like 2004 or something and they've been in the top 10 frequently. Or, you might think of unheard of amounts of snow.
But surely these things wouldn't make an entire city pessimistic, would it? Go and read some of the comments on www.cleveland.com sometime. It's sickening. If I were to describe my brothers and sisters in C-Town in one word, it would be "pessimistic." All people seem to do is complain about things. Everybody is quick to point out the shortcomings and the things gone wrong. It's like doomsday every day.
I'm sure you can relate to this attitude. After all, it shows up most in the church. Oops...did I just say that? I can say that because it's true, and anyone who is a seasoned veteran of a local church knows it is true. It's one thing for Clevelanders to be pessimistic. But the salt of the earth? The light of the world? The city on a hill? I hope you feel as ashamed as I do. And I feel ashamed because I, too, have contributed to this attitude, even as a leader...(to be continued)
1 comment:
I have had many a conversation with those you write of. I was actually in one of those conversations when it occurred to me - I have moved away and experienced life apart from things that are inextricably linked: Cleveland & the family and friends I love. Every visit home I am stirred by the memories of days gone by, excited by what could be, and somewhat disheartened by what currently is. This tension rarely exists for those who have never ventured away from what they've always known. Maybe He led us away to learn, grow, and come back with the fire of redemption in our bones for the city we love... who knows what could spring from that hope.
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