This week Rolling Stone magazine had to print a retraction and an apology for publishing a story that turned out not to be true.  It seems that the journalist involved fell victim to being human.  For once we develop an opinion concerning an issue, we often become blind to information that does not support our view and we capitalize on ideas that support our position.  If we believe the world is a bad place we particularly make mental note of the horrors that fill news broadcasts.  We rarely think about the everyday good things that occur in our communities as we feed on the day’s bad news.

As Christians we are particularly susceptible to this because we are told the world will fall into a horrible state just before Jesus comes again.  We want Him to return; therefore, we almost love seeing bad news.  We sometimes forget that Jesus told us His kingdom has already come and we can as citizens begin right now to benefit from its blessings.  “Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or, “There it is!” For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.’” Luke 17:20-21

If this is so and if we believe what Jesus said, should we not be living the abundant life which He promised in John 10?   This does not mean we are Pollyannas and don’t know the world is a dangerous place.  It does mean that instead of being preoccupied with those things we should be thinking of that which is pure, good, wholesome and true.  It makes a huge difference in the everyday quality of our lives.

Written by Roger Bothwell on April 7, 2015

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

rogerbothwell.org