Gabriel Heater, the popular World War Two radio news
commentator, started every broadcast with five powerful
words: "Ah, there's good news tonight!" Who knows the
importance of his contribution to building morale at home
and overseas during those difficult war years? He may have
even played an important role in the ultimate victory of the
forces of freedom. We could use some correspondents with
Heater's positive attitude to report good news today.
While traveling, my wife and I discovered a radio weatherman
who mmediately captured our attention. He had up-to-the
minute information on possible problems ahead so we stayed
tuned. At first, we appreciated his warnings, but as time
passed we began to realize
this gloomy guy had picked every suspected trouble spot he
could find, droning on endlessly about the possibility of
natural disasters around every turn. We finally tuned him
out and still laugh about our encounter with this cloudy
character. Sadly, like him, many choose to dwell continually
on fears of storm clouds ahead while missing out on the
sunshine they're experiencing along the way.
Is there any good news to report? Probably more than you
think.
In his recent article "Doubting the Doomsayers," in
Christianity Today, Philip Yancy tells about checking the
facts on an anonymous e-mail floating around the web
indicating little has changed since 1980. It reported that
80 percent of the world's people still live in substandard
housing, 70 percent are unable to read and 50 percent suffer
malnutrition.
Yancy says his research found these figures to be far off
the mark. Efforts to lift people from poverty, provide them
decent housing, teach them to read, give them clean water
and extend lifespans have paid off. In addition, he
discovered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reports that the teenage birth rate has declined by 30
percent in the last decade, while the abortion rate has
declined by almost half. He adds such good news seldom
captures the attention of the media and says he's learned to
reject what he reads on the
internet and anything he hears from the doomsayers.
Does this mean everything's coming up roses?
No, but it does mean prayer and persistence are making a
difference in some areas and we ought to keep on keeping on,
expecting results. In the words of Paul, "Let us not be
weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we
faint not" (Galatians 6:9).
Bad news bears blight. Unless we focus on the good results
of our prayers and labor, we will become discouraged and
accomplish little, often even turning against pastors and
other church leaders because we think they're not doing
enough.
Next week, Pauline and I will celebrate fifty four years of
marriage. Naturally, we pray for each other and one of my
daily prayers for her is that she will receive good news
that day. According to Solomon, good words make the hearers
glad (Proverbs 12:25).
The best news of all was given by another Gabriel to Mary:
news of peace, forgiveness and eternal life, all made
available by faith alone (Luke 1:26-37). Who do you know who
needs a faith lift? Your wife? Your husband? Your children?
Your pastor? Your parents?
Have you heard any good news lately?
If so, pass it on.
?© 2004 Roger Campbell
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Blessings to you today
Bob Johnston
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