Are you tired of hearing about all the violence on the daily news? Do you wish people would simply get along? What are you doing about it? Are you willing to make a difference in the world? Will you stand up for what is right in the eyes of God?
We all see and hear the news. There is violence in our streets every day. There are arguments at our work locations, in our homes, and in our schools every day. Our society has devolved into a continually dissatisfied people. What can we do about it?
There are certainly valid reasons for being upset and looking for a positive change. Yet, violence is not the way to make positive change. We can find a reason to argue every day. But we don’t really win arguments, even if we might win a debate. You see, there is a difference.
We seem to have forgotten some old sayings that contain a lot of truth.
- You attract more bees with honey than vinegar.
- Violence begets violence.
- No one wins an argument.
- One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.
What our world needs are positive examples to follow. We need people who show others how to change their lives in a positive way. We need to re-learn what it means to be the upstanding person who quietly influences those around us. Otherwise, Satan continues to win.
We are called to be a person of positive character, a person who shows the light of Jesus to others. We are called to be the example of joy, peace, and calm. We are to be the ones who bring a message of hope to the people we encounter.
Don’t misunderstand. Things won’t change in the blink of an eye. Change takes time. It takes our unrelenting push for change. Yet, being unrelenting doesn’t mean forcing change in a negative manner. Unrelenting positive change is like the trickle of water that eats away at the rock minutely each day.
I know, we are impatient. We want things our way today—right this moment. Yet, it is the person who understands the reality of human nature and God’s nature, who will patiently continue to shine the light of Jesus, who will make the positive change.
I pray we all choose to make a positive change. I pray we are unrelenting in our patience. I pray each of us will shine the light of Jesus every moment of every day. Be unrelenting. Be patient. Be the light of Jesus. Be the positive change.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Marty Pressey 