‘Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.’ – Alice Morse Earle.
I must admit, this article has been a difficult one for me to write. I’ve gone backwards and forwards on what to write about. March first is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. For Christians, this is a time of prayer, reflection, and expectation as we prepare for Easter, the celebration of a pinnacle moment of our Faith. And while I could write about the significance of Lent, and the reason for fasting during this time, when I sat down to write, this is what came out…
It’s really easy to be angry and upset in today’s world. You don’t have to go far to find something that goes against what you believe to be right, be it the news, your job, politics, or maybe even the village Facebook page. We can disagree with so much of what is happening in the world because it truly is scary: wars, racism, corruption, slavery (yes, modern day slavery still exists) and the list goes on. I’ve encountered so many negative and confrontational reactions on social media and in conversations with people, and I must admit it both saddens me and scares me.
Simply put, I know the life we live and the world we live in, can be rubbish at times, but, there is always something to bring joy or a smile. ‘What?’ You might be asking yourself. Well, that is a matter of perspective. What is your perspective on things? Is your knee-jerk reaction to jump into battle mode, or are you more willing to hear out a person’s differences? Are you able to give people the benefit of the doubt, to see the situation as a glass half full, rather than half empty?
In the Bible, in 1 Peter, we learn, that as a Christian I must always be prepared to explain the reason for the hope that is in me. The truth is, my hope, my strength and my joy all come from my relationship with Jesus. I know that sounds bizarre, and a bit ‘different’, but it’s the truth. I look into this crazy world, and I see real opportunities for the brokenness to be changed; for those marginalised and oppressed to be defended, and loved. With that, I also know that I am not going to be able to make an impact if I attack the issue with the same negativity and oppression from which it originates. Instead, I can show love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and guidance through my actions. I know you’re sat there thinking, ‘Who does this guy think he is? He can’t change the world by being nice!’ The truth is, I believe it’s more than just being nice, it’s living out my faith, leaning not on my own understanding but on that of God’s. That manifests as positivity. Take Mother Teresa as an example. Surrounded by what seemed like a horrible world, she decided to love one person at a time and made the difference she could. It’s been well documented that she had many trials, but through it all, she remained positive and loving.
I guess, what I am trying to say is, I can only control me. And therefore, I can control my actions, and turn my negativity into positivity. For me, that positivity comes from my faith, and I would love to invite you to explore that faith with me at the Baptist Church. But maybe, that’s not where your positivity comes from. Wherever it comes from, can I encourage you to tap into that, and leave the negativity behind, as I believe we can make a real difference to the village, the county, and maybe, even the country and world.
ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN THE MARCH 2017 EDITION OF THE GAMLINGAY GAZZETTE.
Simple Faith 