“News is news because it’s news.” Those were the wise words spoken by Harold Ensley, The Sportsman’s Friend in Kansas City, Missouri, forty-plus years ago at a high school baccalaureate service. The message referred to the increasing power granted to the media to influence opinion and mind-sets. The reminder was that news by definition is the exception however sensationally it is presented. The challenge put forth was for each individual to accept responsibility to keep a healthy perspective, grounded in a biblical worldview because the world will get noisier.
What powerful insight decades prior to the 24/7 news cycle, the Internet and social media craze! The media has in large part been granted too much power as they turned to sensationalism and emotional stimulation to capture an audience. The goal seems to have migrated from providing objective information to influencing opinion and mind-sets.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. – 1Peter 2:11. Peter recognized Christians as “aliens and strangers” to the worldly perspective or mind-set that keeps the focus on self and the now. Christians have been called to be selfless and to focus on an eternal perspective with a transcendent cause. The “war against your soul” involves the sinful desires that seek to pass judgment on others through general classifications be they rich or poor, male or female, strong or weak, black or white, Christian or non-Christian, republican or democrat, American or illegal immigrant, etc. Peter knew Jesus and knew the Church was to focus on Oneness under Him. This is what Paul called Christians to as well when he said, “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2Corinthians 10:5.
Today the Church has an opportunity, a responsibility to keep a healthy perspective in navigating through the noise of this world. We are to refute the power media assumes, rebuke the chaos some with an agenda seem hell-bent to stir up and stand firm in Truth as lived by Jesus the Christ.
Prayer guide: Lord, I praise You for Your word and Your love. Too often I have chosen to tune-in more to the media than to You responding with a defensive, even argumentative tone about my faith and opinions. Thank You for the heart turning initiated in my life. As I tune-in to You through Your word and prayer, I am able to navigate through the noise that I have granted way too much power to. Help me refute the power of the media, rebuke the chaos stirred up and stand firm in Your Truth. I accept responsibility to keep a healthy perspective in this noisy world. Amen.
A faithful father keeps a healthy perspective in a noisy world.
