A CYNIC OR A HYPOCRITE?
by Erwin Bourne—March 23, 2002
A cynic is distrustful of human nature and motives. A
hypocrite is one who affects virtues or qualities he
does not have. Perhaps you would rather be a cynic
and pray with one eye open—wondering, not believing!
I’ve been very uneasy while praying under some
circumstances, so prayed squinting through half-closed
eyes. Did the disciples pray with both eyes wide
opened when all they could see was black skies?
Even so, they almost missed seeing the answer to their
prayers—a figure walking on the water!
I sent an e-mail early this morning—sent it with
trepidation and quacking faith. Am I a weak
Christian? I disdain acting a hypocrite. The Apostle
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: Dear Brothers
and Sisters, when I first came to you I didn’t use
lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God’s
message…. I came to you in weakness—timid and
trembling…. I did not use wise and persuasive
speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you
(I Cor. 2:1—4 NLT). A valiant knight ready to go
into battle looked down at his shaking knees and said:
“Shake you vile knees. If you knew where I was about
to take you, you’d shake much worse than that!”
I was told some years ago, “Brother Bourne, you’ve got
to be the bravest missionary I’ve ever met.” Well, I
thanked the dear sister for her kind words, but
attempted to explain that it was not a matter of
bravery, but of obedience to God. Then when I got
into tight or dangerous situations, it was God’s
responsibility to take care of me. Likewise, all of
you can plead the promises. A promise that sustained
me in a most distressful situation was: And the peace
of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7
KJV).
Believe it or not (this is not a Ripley’s story) the
following account is very real. When Jean and I were
making a transfer in the Miami International airport,
we had two angels (ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister… (Heb. 1:14) who attended our tickets and
flight. We were against impossible odds. I prayed
for a BIG angel to straighten out our tickets. God
sent two BIG angels—one to arrange our tickets and
flights, a second one to stand down on the tarmac and
hold the big plane. I’m neither a cynic nor a
hypocrite!
—Erwin and Jean Bourne