A Happy Mid-Winter to you all! This morning, I read an instant pick-me-up in my Bible app. I’m not sure about you, but it seems almost every day I’m greeted with some piece of disturbing news. During the past three weeks, cancer, shootings, divorce, fire, and other ugly events have affected friends, colleagues, and communities that are dear to me. Also, during the past three weeks, I’ve more than once thought this world is really too much and there isn’t anything I could possibly do to make a difference, but then God speaks up as He so often does in my life before I fully commit to going down the rabbit hole of despair. My devotional this morning was quoting theologian Karl Barth, who encouraged his students to read the newspaper and the Bible but interpret the newspaper through the Bible. Today, we probably don’t often read newspapers, but we do hear the news through other media sources. Mr. Barth’s point was the news is depressing but we know the end of the story. Good triumphs over evil. God wins in the end and the lives we live in the here and now do make a difference. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with ugly news and dismiss the beauty and joy in life. Did you see the clouds today? Beautiful. Did you hear the Mortimer Family welcomed a new baby girl to their family on Monday? Beautiful. Did you see the Christmas Shoppe boxes overflowing with gifts? Beautiful. Have you heard CeCe Winans’ version of “Joy to The World?” Beautiful. Did you taste a delightful Christmas treat? Beautiful. Have you seen twinkling lights in your neighborhood? Beautiful.
Be a moment of beauty in someone’s life today. View the moments of ugliness through the lens of hope and be confident your life makes a difference in this world. Let’s keep reminding each other to live in hope. I need the reminders every day!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV