Having observed several years ago the vast negativity and gross moral behavior that plagues our news media, it had become very difficult to continue watching the news. After being asked my opinion of recent event reported in the news and being caught off guard, I decided to include news consumption as a part of my regular routine. Having watched the news the last couple of weeks, I have decided that my initial assessment has not changed. With an average total of thirty stories every
news cast (including weather and sports), most of the stories were about murders/major crimes, others were over major trials, with drug/gang issues and child/animal neglect receiving equal attention. Several stories pertain to political issues
that seem to be the same issues that were discussed when I quit watching the
news fourteen years ago. And the rest were sports and weather.
As Christians, with hearts burdened for the lostness in our world, Ann Murry’s 1983 hit song, “A Little Good News
Today” would be a breath of fresh air. We prefer reports of people
doing good to others, or people celebrating victories in life other than
personal achievements that are often found in sports. In
the last two weeks, I heard only four stories that really encouraged me out of
an average total of 400 stories.
Just as each newscast is accustomed, I have started this
particular post on a negative note. But now I will quickly turn to the
more positive side of things by reminding us of the sovereignty of God and His work within His creation. Even though we live in a fallen world that
promotes self-pleasure, self-gratification, and a long list of other self's; as growing followers of Christ, we begin to notice
the lostness even more. But the
lostness – although a burden to our souls – magnifies the Holiness of God.
Now stay with me; when the Apostle John
writes about the light and darkness in 1 John 1:5-7, he suggests that we keep using the light of Scripture to see the darkness in the world. When the light penetrates the darkness,
nothing can hide. That is how it happens, as we walk with Jesus
– who is the light – our sins are identified by the light and we cannot hide in
them. As we are in the light of Jesus,
we see the lostness of the world and we become burdened.
The solution, rejoice in the fact that we see the darkness
of the world because of our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy
Spirit. This is the hope, in that the
world is temporary, yet by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have a
promised eternity. Secondly, rejoice in
the successes of this world, even though the news will not report it.
Even though the norm of our media system today neither edifies nor encourages Christian morals; when in fact, they refuse to inform the public of good news in fear of offending someone, God is not finished with His creation. Although God may be disappointed with how things are, He is never caught off guard nor surprised when things happen. And as the rock of morality continues to be chipped away at, know that God preserves His remnant.