Evolutionary Movements of a Gentle Cynic

I observe many, it would seem, who are heartily seeking with much energy (emotional, physical, mental) something(s) outside of them and with little to no orientation toward the inward, i.e., the treasures and wealth within. Perhaps I have become simply more attuned or aware of what weightier and wealthier assets are found within than others are willing or able to express. It certainly seems disheartening for me to see so many, it would seem, chasing after the wind, i.e., chasing after the attractive promises of temporality.

As a gentle cynic, I continue to see and experience the benefit of simplistic living, which is not merely a motivation to be separate from the dominant culture of materialism and injustice; but rather, a deep desire to experience more fully the kingdom of God now realized and yet forthcoming (a longstanding Jewish/Christian expectation that is being fulfilled).

Because of the vigorous reach of this reality in my life, I take the opportunity of a new year to reflect on a few major movements that have occurred over time, which give a picture of some obvious differences (tranformation) making up the evolution of this gentle cynic. It is an an evolution of becoming less a chaser of the cultural winds and more a person of the Kingdom of God. I am . . .

• Less media driven (driven by sense) and more thoughtful (journeying via spiritual senses)

• Less a consumer of material attachment and more aware and inviting of the immaterial as a growing spirit

• Less a nationalistic worldview and more a global perspective, for the whole earth is the Lords

• Less capitalistic which focuses on the gains of a few and more egalitarian which focuses on sharing with the many
  

• Less merely rational (modern worldview) and experience (cause and effect) and more faith (faith seeking understanding), rational (reason, a human capacity), and experience (with the goal of appropriate, thoughtful response)

• Less ambivalent about violent means and more proactive about peaceful practices and initiatives (a vision of God’s shalom—a reality to be realized and forthcoming in totality)

“There Is a Spirit Which I Feel”

by James Nayler (1660)

Can I, imprisoned, body-bounded, touch

The starry robe of God, and from my soul,

My tiny Part, reach forth to his great Whole,

And spread my Little to the infinite Much,

When Truth forever slips from out my clutch,

And what I take indeed, I do not dole

In cupfuls from a rimless ocean-bowl

That holds a million million million such?

And yet, some Thing that moves among the stars,

And holds the cosmos in a web of law,

Moves too in me: a hunger, a quick thaw

Of soul that liquefies the ancient bars,

As I, a member of creation, sing

The burning oneness binding everything.