Let Me Be Clear

June 4, 2015 (Thursday)
Did you see the picture of a shark swimming in the flood waters covering a Houston freeway? Did you believe it was a real picture? Probably not. Almost anyone can alter a photograph these days with the use of a computer program. The shark was not real. It was a trick.
Most people, I think, did not believe it when they saw it. We have become aware in this day of digital magic that what we are seeing may or may not actually be there. We are becoming skeptics, doubting what we see and hear. Little by little we may even be somewhat cynical. The Psalmist saw that happening in his own life and wrote, “I said in my haste, ‘all men are liars” (Psalm 116:11).
We find ourselves saying, mostly to ourselves, “Oh, yeah?” or “No way.” We are beginning to doubt what any politician or government leader says. We wonder if the product we are buying is going to live up to its claims or is going to last as long as promised.
I don’t like feeling this way. I want to believe what people say. I want to believe their promises. I want to be able to accept what people tell me at face value. I don’t like thinking that they may have ulterior motives.
I think I’d rather be accused of being gullible or naive than to become a person who cannot trust others or believe what they say. I don’t want to become that “grumpy old man” people talk about. I don’t want to give up on others, because that’s a step toward giving up on life.
I must learn how to be discerning without becoming judgmental. I want to accept others, not reject them. I want to have a positive outlook, not a negative one. And I want to be the kind of person that others can trust; I want them to believe what I say, without reservation. If I truly desire that kind of response, I must make sure that I am a truthful, honest and reliable person.
Having said all of that, I should not be surprised when people are dishonest, deceptive and manipulative. I can forgive. Forgiveness is one of Jesus’ principal teachings. He has forgiven me; I can show my gratitude to him by forgiving others.
I can be realistic. I don’t have to be cynical.