I have some good friends that have a family motto, “Good always wins.” It is a simple statement, but it is so true. They live by the simple philosophy that if you do the right thing, and treat others with love and respect, “Good always wins.”
I want to share with you this week a couple of stories of how this simple statement needs to be the motto of all those that claim to be followers of God’s love.
We live in a world that is in very trying times. Earlier in the week, my son was walking through his college campus and encountered some people protesting and handing out hate pamphlets. They were challenging those who should and should not be here in our country and who are entitled to education.
That same day, in front of our local high school and community college, there was another group of “so-called Christians” holding up signs and condemning the students attending saying that they are not worthy of the love of God. They were judging them because of the clothes they wore, their sexual orientation, the color of their skin, and claiming that the whole public education system is wrong. Students were rattled and confused and subjected to hearing hate be proclaimed stating that they were less than human.
I have strived all my life to live by the Golden Rule, that states we should treat others the same way that we would want to be treated. My children were taught to look for the good in everyone, and not to judge. This thought challenged them to think and to see the real values that were at stake. Faith was being tested, and God was seeing if they were able to stand up to the test.
When I asked my son how he felt, he smiled and said it was amazing. As he walked down a little further, he saw a large crowd of people listening to the word of God. People stood united and believing in the power of HIS love. With a look of hope on his face, he shared how encouraging it was to see more people drawn to a message of faith and love rather than one of hate.
At the high school the next day, students were greeted by another group of people holding signs. This time it was made up of educators, parents, neighbors, and friends that told them that they are loved. Signs said that you are part of our family; we believe in you; you are made in the image of the perfect king. This time the group lined up at the school and received students with embracing smiles, hugs, and teachers’ sincere gratitude.
In both cases, GOOD always wins! It challenged me to think and reflect if I am witnessing the values of the Gospel. Am I doing what God has asked of me to do as a follower of His ways? Am I being a light to all nations? Am I loving the way that shows forth His amazing love?
In this culture and world full of hate and desperation, am I sharing the unconditional love that my Father has shared with me? During our Sunday gatherings, we sing songs of hope and prayer.
One of my favorites is the song, “Be the Light.” It was written in collaboration with many musicians who saw a world full of hate. Protest, doubt and fear were ruling everyone’s life. The artists all shared that they collaborated on a song to bring about change. They said they needed to be a light of God’s love to the world. They looked at the scripture in Matthew’s gospel that said: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). If we are to be a light, we must witness the good of God’s love to all.
Thomas Rhett shared that he read this verse repeatedly and wondered how he could bring a sign of hope, a sign of love to the world. Along with others, they produced the wonderful song, “Be a Light,” that was more than a song for all of them. It became their anthem, their battle cry, their hope, and their prayer. He shared that the lyrics seemed to come very easily when they decided to write the song as a prayer. It was as if they were committing themselves again to “be a light” and to make sure that “good always wins.”
We do live in very trying times. There seems to be more hate, fear, and doubt. The Gospel calls us to be different and to make sure that good always wins — or could we say GOD always wins when we decide to be a light and walk in His ways?