Terrorism, Ebola, and Everything Else That is Messed up Lately

Can I admit to something?

As a follower of Christ, I am invited into to seeing the world as changed.  That through Christ's life, death, and resurrection the world has changed - it is changing - as His kingdom is bursting forth here and now.  This gives me so much hope.And then I'm confronted with the front page of the news and then the things even the news doesn't like to engage - the messiness, the WTF? moments, the loss, the death, all the ways things don't make sense.

It's hard to find the Good News in that.

But that's what I was challenged to do this week, find Good News in really hard things, the ugly things.  Of course, I could dive into my person convictions on specific situations but I have found those are better suited for conversations over a good drink or meal.

So how do I find Good News in bad news- in all the things that aren't right and that I am reminded of each and every day?

I've  tired to find better ways to articulate this but these are things I have to continually remind myself, convince myself of, to keep hope - because let's be honest cynicism is easy.

So for today I give you just four ways I strive to see Good News in the midst of all the bad. They are simple statements, reminders and challenges. Which of course, don't answer the why questions I often have; rather they attempt to avoid the trite, cliche, and unhelpful responses I have heard in my past and keep me centered.  They are:- The story is not even close to done.  

This is Good News.

'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.' _MLK.

This is Good News.

We, followers of Christ, are invited (actually required) to play an active role in all aspects of bringing resurrection to the world. 

This is Good News.

If God is anywhere He is with those who are in the midst of these struggles - the poor, the powerless, the forgotten and the abused. If He is there and I am unwilling to also go there and stand with them regardless of whatever label I might put on them what does that say of my convictions? Of my belief? Of what can or will occur when the tables are turned?  

This too, is Good News.

So how do you process, handle and engage to find the Good News in the midst of all that is not right?  What things do you need to remind yourself? What do you need to remind us all?