An Inkling
It’s
always been a challenge to discern the importance and enduring impact of
current events. For example, in the year
30 the news was about Vinicius and Longinus vying for power in Rome, and the
death of Shammai, president of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Only a few thought the death and reported
resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth mattered very much. But we know where that went…
How can we
discern what’s important and lasting?
The challenge has only increased in our day. Every bit of news is amplified by media
hoping to win an audience for their 24/7 coverage.
Here are
this week’s news makers: Iran nuke
talks, Greece’s financial perils, ISIS threats, a South Carolina flag vote, shifting
commitments and options after the Supreme Court’s marriage ruling, Donald
Trump’s latest pronouncement, challengers to Hillary, and the American women’s
victory in the World Cup. (And that’s
leaving off such “news” as which celebrity is mad at another, the latest Apple
rumor, etc.)
What
happens with and around us matters. And
if we’re going to be effective serving the Lord, we have to give the news some
attention. But the 24/7 media can’t
define for us what’s most important.
Scripture serves that purpose. We
also get some perspective by checking out the big picture of history – e.g., the
attached video reframes what’s important and lasting.
We each
have our ideas about what’s important and lasting. But finally such judgments will be made by
the One who died and rose in the year 30, and who is coming again in the year
only the Father knows. As we look in
trust to him, we can make our way through the amped up urgencies of our day. And that’s what makes him not just news, but
the best of all Good News!
Blessings,
Keith
