Realistic

"An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous." -Henry Ford

Today I was reading Chris Guillebeau's blog post "Not Realistic" and it made me think a lot about evangelism. Yes, I realize it's asking a lot of you to read two articles at one time, but I'm confident it will be worth it. If you can't handle both, I'll give you a short synopsis. He claims that the word "realistic" is an adjective for cynics. If something's "not realistic" it's not worth doing.

I'd venture to say that most people would say trying to save the world is "not realistic." Going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature is "not realistic." Loving the Lord with all your soul, all your heart, and all your mind is "not realistic." Even the fact that nothing is impossible with God is "not realistic."

Unfortunately, cynics are everywhere, even in the church. No matter what you set out to do, someone will be there to bring you down, particularly if your goal is unconventional or dangerous. But isn't that what God calls us to be? He calls us to be different from the world. He has filled us not with a spirit of fear, but one of power. So, when you're in the face of a cynic, keep this verse in mind:

"...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."

Hebrews 12:1