Think On These Things

 Just when you think things can't get any worse...just when you think that the world is going to hell in a hand basket...just when you think that greed, self-centeredness, hatred, jealousy and dissension have taken over humanity...you see the flowers of love, generosity, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control grow and bloom...and once more you begin to recover your faith and choose not only to see the good and right, but you determine more than ever to emulate that good and right in your own life.

Now, that's a rather strong way to begin this Thursday thought.  I have become convinced, however, over the past weeks and months that there is far more good in the world than we are led to believe by social media, the news media, and the shrill voices spewing hatred and dissension.  There is a reason why the good is often tamped down, and the bad and evil are emphasized.  Darkness hates light.  Evil revels in and encourages chaos.  The bad seeks to recruit others into lives of greed and selfishness.

But turn off the negativity and darkness that is constantly invading your conscience, and look around you.  I've been working at doing that for some time now, and I can see the goodness, the gentleness, the generosity, and the kindness popping up all over.  And if you too turn off those voices of darkness...if you refuse to buy into the schlock that is constantly peddled, tune out the shrill shrieks of doom and fear, look outside of yourself and open your eyes, you'll see those things too.

You want some examples?  OK, here are some things I'm seeing right now...today...that give me hope and flesh out God's promise to renew His creation.

On a larger scale, I see a person in the Idaho Fall, Idaho area who is anonymously giving away one million dollars this year to deserving people and families.  This is the sixth or seventh year that this has been going on, and this person’s generosity is changing lives. 

I see a municipal court judge in Rhode Island who issues rulings with compassion and takes the time to see into someone’s life before issuing his rulings.  His court is one that should be an example for all who deal with matters of law and justice, tempered with mercy.

On a more local level, I see people going to work in jobs that would test the sanity of many of us.  School workers of all kinds, health care workers of all kinds, public servants of all kinds.  I particularly know of a psychologist for the Wichita Public Schools who gives her best even when faced with trauma and emotional issues that would be unbelievable for many.  I also know of a para for the 259 district and a bus monitor for 259 who both give their all for the kids they interact with on a daily basis, doing what they can to make their kids’ days the best they can possibly be.

I know of people within our congregation who look out for the elderly in our church family, who check up on and create social contact with those who can’t get out and around.  We have people who provide food and financial help for others, who go out of their way to provide transportation and comfort.  Most of these church members do these things quietly and without fanfare or recognition.

I know people who volunteer to work at the Lord’s Diner, at food pantries, in the schools, and in many, many other ways…each one doing just a little something to make that corner of the world a little better place.  And I know people who have formed non-profit organizations right here in Wichita to combat human trafficking, homelessness, prostitution, hunger, poverty, mental illness, and many other societal ills.  People such as Jennifer, Michelle, Julie, Rachel, Laura, and others who give selflessly of their time and treasure to make a difference.  One.  Person.  At. A. Time.

I know people serving in government, both in elected office as well as hourly or salaried employees who go to work every day, doing the right thing for the right reason.  Their work is often misunderstood, and they sometimes take a lot of rubbish from the public.  But they persist and prevail in redeeming the creation…or at least a small corner of it.

I see people paying it forward…they themselves having received from someone now giving back in some way.  Whether that be in the drive-up window line at a fast food place or in the check out line at a WalMart or Target…or maybe someone buying some fuel for someone else at a Quik Trip…people are paying it forward.

I see the generosity of my church family when I hear of a special need of someone in our church family…I ask others in the family to help out.  Sometimes the generosity of those people is much, much greater than the specific special need.

I see moms and dads raising kids…some who are special needs…and some of whom have great medical and emotional need.  I see good people adopting kids.  I see good people fostering kids.  I see people mentoring kids.  I see people being surrogate grandparents for kids.  I see people all over who are investing their lives…their time, energy, talent, and treasure into the next generations.

And the above examples are just a microcosm of the work going on in the world to make things better for others…to provide a brighter path for living…to bring hope to those who have no hope.

Look around.  Turn off the naysayers, the negative, the fearmongering.  Look instead for the goodness.  Begin to live there, in the meadowlands of hope, compassion, kindness, and gentleness instead of in the desert of hopelessness and fear.  As Paul the great Apostle says in his letter to the Philippian church, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”