I am a news junky. I watch, I record, I read, I listen in my car and on my IPhone, I drive my wife crazy. And for good reason. It is not just the volume that she finds maddening but the “news loop of doom.” In her mind, once is more than enough to learn about the tragedies and dramas of the day. I, on the other hand, find myself not only consuming the information, but also listening to all the commentary; rarely is there a positive “spin.”
As a follower of Jesus, I do not have the luxury of living in a cave. While it is often tempting to shelter myself from the challenges of the day, that is not the place Jesus is leading me to. Rather, I am called into those places that are most uncomfortable and to interact with those I find the most difficult. The question is, what is it that I bring to those situations, to those individuals? Does my presence and perspective compound the “news loop of doom?”
That would not be following Jesus. For Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. This news is not a Hallmark greeting card of positive, happy thoughts. The Good News that Jesus proclaims is the Kingdom of God news. “Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” (Mark 1:14-15)
This news trumps all other news, for this news is about the reconciliation and restoration of all of God’s people.
Again, the question I must ask myself is: does my presence and perspective compound the, “news loop of doom” or in all situations and with all those that I encounter, am I following Jesus in proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God? It’s pretty clear, one will continue to perpetuate division and the other will restore and reconcile all of God’s people.
Source: Bishop Brian Prior – Good News