If you walk in door #6 at Sewickley United Methodist Church, you will be greeted with a large bulletin board with the words “Tell Me Something Good” stapled on it. Over this season of Lent, we are sharing the good news of the gospel message of Jesus Christ and God’s love for us. In order to recognize this good news, people are posting examples of what that good news might look like in our own lives. Some of those examples include, “got a B in my Animal Behavior Class,” “scans that show decrease in all tumors,” and my personal favorite (not written by me), “we’re eating lasagna tonight.” It is a beautiful thing when we are able to recognize God’s love in big and small ways. It is also a very important thing to be able to recognize.
It is easy to recognize all the hard things and negativity around us. I know that we often talk about those things here at church, as we should. I also know that sometimes it can feel very heavy and overwhelming. When we get to this point, which we can identify as compassion fatigue, it is important to do a perspective overhaul. Therefore, it is necessary to take time to remind ourselves and retrain ourselves to see the good in the world. Sometimes, we need help and encouragement from others to be able to see that which is good. That is why, this season of Lent, we are focusing on “Tell Me Something Good.” That is also why I encourage you to actively participate in the sharing of those good things.
If you have not already done so, fill out a card and place it on the bulletin board. Make a journal of the good things in your life. Practice starting your day by focusing on something good and thanking God for it. By doing this, we are not ignoring the bad things in the world. We are reminding ourselves of all the reasons we fight for justice for all people. We are re-energizing ourselves to be able to continue with that good, but sometimes difficult and tiring, work. Most importantly, we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, the one who gives us what we need to sustain us for the journey we are on. The old cliché fits really well here: “If he calls us to it, he will see us through it.” Jesus has called us to meet this moment. Jesus is using us to share the truth of his love, which is justice and mercy for all people and access to all the wonderful things this life has to offer. Jesus is using us to “tell something good” to others who desperately need the hope it brings to hold on to. Jesus will see us through—with a little help and encouragement from our friends.
From one light to many others,
Pastor Hannah Loughman