Good news is hard to find and bad news is never welcomed. Good news is receiving a tax refund in the mail. Bad news is finding a new bill in the mail. The average American watches five hours of television a day. Television often feels like a hose of bad news, drenching it’s audience.
These days, it is not hard to lose hope and only see the negative. But thankfully we serve a God of hope who is still very much alive and active in our dark world. This week, thankfulness, compassion, and mercy were shown in our country.
1. A young girl hosted a tea party for the officer who saved her life. Back in 2015, Corporal Patrick Ray saved 22-month-old Bexley Norvell from choking on a coin. On the one-year anniversary of her life being saved, little Brexley decided to thank Corporal Ray for saving her life the best way she knew how: throwing a fabulous tea party for him at her home in Rowlett, Texas.
2. A four person human chain saved a woman from deadly flood waters. Over the weekend, a torrential rainfall hit Elliot City, Maryland, causing the city to declare a state of emergency. Powerful floodwaters swept vehicles down the flooded streets, one of which still contained a woman. Dave Dester and his wife noticed the woman being violently rushed downstream in her car, and called for help. Nearby store owners and pedestrians formed a human chain to reach the woman and pull her back to safety.
3. Police shock drivers with ice cream instead of speeding tickets. The officers at the Halifax,Virginia Police Department decided to spend the day spreading some infectious laughter and cold treats instead of speeding tickets. Police officers Brian Warner and Police Chief Kevin Lands pulled over drivers and would ask if they were aware that they were in violation of a vehicle code. Much to the driver’s’ relief, the officers would then explain that it was against the law to be driving on a hot day without an ice cream cone, and hand one to bewildered driver.
Oftentimes, we forget the good news and stress over the bad news. As believers, it is vital for us to find the balance between being wary of the evil in the world, but also mindful of the good. Matthew 10:16 explains the balance: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Snakes are cunning and alert. They smell the air by flicking their tongues repeatedly to stay wary of encroaching danger, or potential prey. Doves, on the other hand, symbolize peace, tranquility, purity, and innocence.
We must have the innocence and peace of a dove, while not being naive. We must have the awareness and shrewdness of a snake, without always being on the attack. We are told to be aware of evil’s existence in order to prepare for the devil’s schemes (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 1:21), all while being wary not to become cynical. We are called to be agents of good news as Christians, all while knowing we will absolutely face hardships of all kinds (I Peter 4:12). Herein lies the struggle on how to respond to the news, both good and bad, as Christ would.
Thankfully, in a world marred by sin, we serve the “God of hope” (Rom. 15:13). So today let’s choose to “hope continually, and praise God more and more” (Ps. 71:14).
And here’s the best news yet: this world is not our home (Heb. 13:14). God is preparing a life of perfect unity with Father for believers that is free of bad news. Now that’s good news worth sharing (Proverbs 25:25).
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