Second Sunday of Easter – 11 April 2021
Written by Pastor Bryan Niebanck
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ~1 John 1:3
“I heard that Tony doesn’t like to do anything. He just sits around and watches TV all day.” “Oh, I heard that Maggie doesn’t like people; she just pretends she does in order to get along but always finds excuses to not come to gatherings.” “That’s great; I also hear that Amy is going to get that promotion. She deserves it so much!” Do you like to spread news that you hear? Good or bad, we capture things that we do not think others have heard yet, and we are excited to be the one to tell it. Parents and grandmothers are probably the most likely to spread news about their children. It is either exciting to spread the news, or we need someone to talk to about it.
The news media makes spreading news their business. Sadly, it is often the negative news that gets passed down to those who follow the media, or at least it is the negative news that is most remembered. What makes it more exciting to spread negative news than good news? Perhaps because the people who hold power are always due to take the worst criticism. Maybe people always criticize the people in power. This is the kind of news that people seek. Yet, it just brings most of us down. Together, we can do our part to spread positive news, and not start spreading negative thoughts about another person unless you want your deepest mistakes publically criticized as well. There is some news that must be heard, such as when tragedy strikes or perhaps when a promise is broken. But we can make an equal effort to notice when something good happens, when a broken promise is restored, and when we are actually having a good day. People are twice as likely to post on Facebook or Twitter when they are having a bad day or are upset about something as opposed to when they are having a good day or are excited about something. We complain more than we are thankful. Is there something that we can do about that? Can we spread the good as much or even more than we spread the negative? People want to see and hear this news too, and it contributes to society as a whole because it will ultimately make people more productive.
Continue reading “Good News!”
Zion United Church of Christ, Fireside 