Focusing on the Good in Life

Every day my iGoogle page has a new verse of the day right at the top. I think it's good to start my work day with a little scripture thought. Most days I read the passage (never more than a verse or two), take a little encouragement, and generally go on my way. Rarely does the verse have a chance to fully sink in before I'm into the daily flow of work.

Today's verse did actually sink in, and I figured why not see what other people thought?

Amos 5:14-15(NLT)
14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.

15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.

I think sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the bad things and the rampant negativity in the world. Every day in the news there seems to be a war, a murder, a scandal, a politician who's lied, or, really, all of the above.

I think Amos was onto something, though. God would much rather have us focus on the good things in our lives, no matter how small. For example, I was able to have a bowl of cereal and check my e-mail over breakfast this morning. I also have the assurance that I'll have a sandwich for lunch today and something for supper tonight. That's a blessing, even if it doesn't seem like it. There are plenty of people around the world (including here in the U.S.) that don't know when their next meal will be or even the assurance there will be a next meal.

I can afford to put gas in my car, food on my table, pay the power bill, and even go out to eat every now and again (even if just to Arby's). The more I look at what I have in my life, the more blessed I feel. Sure, I don't have a two-car garage, a plasma TV, can't afford to take up and fly to Europe for a vacation, but by not focusing on what I don't have, I can really see how God is moving in my life and providing for my needs. God has been helping me all along, even at times when it didn't seem like it.

I think that Paul expounds on this idea much more eloquently than my ramblings in his letter to his friends in Rome.

Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.

20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

We shouldn't be overwhelmed by all the bad in the world, even the bad that's done directly to us. By continuing to focus on the good, the bad will seem less important. Amos and Paul aren't saying that life won't be tough (in fact, Jesus promises it probably will be). Instead, they're saying we should focus on what is good in our lives, and even in the hard times, we'll still find comfort in the all encompassing love of God.