Beautiful Feet

 Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

When I get the opportunity, I like to follow the advice of the late Zig Ziglar and start my day by reading the Bible and perusing the daily headlines, in order, as he put it, "to see what both sides are up to!"

Without a doubt, the news from the other side is not good. Whether you get your daily news from a paper (or website) or follow the TV news broadcasts, the news always starts off bad and seems to get worse. With everything going on in our world today, from wars and rumors of war, to pandemics and natural disasters, there doesn't seem to ever be anything good happening anymore at all. Brooke remarked one night as we were watching the news together, "Well, that's negative," and she was right.

But I always like the fact that the evening news always has that one story at the end. That one inspirational story of good news. That heart-warming and heart-touching story of how some person did something that changed the life of someone else or how their action saved someone or saved the planet in some small way. I always wait for that last story before I go on to something else, because it is in that last story that I find hope to go on.

We long for good news in our lives. We need good news in our lives. As Isaiah points out, we find beauty in those who bring good news to our door, who proclaim peace, good tidings, and salvation. Who remind us that, in spite of all the bad news we hear, God still reigns.

As we start this new week together, let's commit to doing two things:

First, let's look for the good news and try to minimize our time with the bad. Hunt for the stories that bring hope to life. Look for the stories of lives being changed and the world being made a little brighter through the action of someone else. The good news is out there, but since good news doesn't sell subscriptions or draw viewers, you just have to look for it. Do that this week

And, second, be the bearer of good news. Don't spend your day ranting on social media or complaining about bad drivers, poor service at restaurants, and difficulties at the grocery store. Instead, look for the positive and share the good things that happened. Share that you got to spend time with the Lord today, or that the sunrise or sunset was especially beautiful after all the rain we had. Share how someone's touch or smile or gesture affected you and made your day a little better. And always share the Good News we have in Christ, for it's only in Him that we find our true hope and the promise of the good that is to come.

May your feet be beautiful this week, and may God touch you in a special way today.