Friends,
If you're reading this in Western New York...Happy Day full O' Sunshine!
I woke up this morning and watched the sun begin to scream through my window and realized that, despite all its Monday-ness, this had a better than average chance to be a good day. (And I hadn't even had my Dunkin Donuts coffee yet!!)
I don't know about you, but sunshine affects my attitude. I try to choose my attitude every day, but it's a boatload easier when the sun warms my face. I have more energy, more enthusiasm and more joy. For me, there's even a physical and emotional response from that round globe way off in the distance. So doing a job which involves speaking words of hope and promise will be easier today!
My scripture reading for today said this to me: "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!" Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
Those people must have been struck by sunshine as well! (Or maybe God himself??) It changed them and now they are affecting others.
But here's what was interesting about all this to me...it's where they went with those good tidings...to Zion! Not Zion in Clarence Center NY where I'm typing from, but the OT Zion that some equated with Jerusalem itself. Whether it was Jerusalem or another city on a hill that was supposed to understand God's promise and be light for the world, be God's people and share God's good news, it was a place that was on the inside track of the good news and hope. They should have known how impressive and real God was. They should have been acting like chosen people. They should have been good tidings givers themselves.
But whether they were or not, maybe they needed a boost...a good news boost...a sunshine boost...a boost o' God...so someone went...and shared those good tidings...that hope...and what a blessing it was for all who heard it.
So it sounds like today that you and I can go just about anywhere! And when we arrive, we will be with people who need to hear good news...who will be blessed by hope...who need to be reminded of the promise. So often the Scriptures and the call of Jesus sends us into the darkness of the world with the light of Christ.
But today we are reminded that the destination could even be Zion itself.
So take advantage of the sunshine that changes and brightens your heart...take advantage of the hope that you have found...take advantage of the promise of God that you have experienced...take advantage of the new life...new start...new forgiveness...new dialogs...and be a blessing to the place that you arrive!
Lord, help me realize I have something to celebrate and that celebration will bless others. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
