Garbage In, Garbage Out
How does a Christian find good news in a week where everyone is focused on political drama or the devastating storm and aftermath that was wrought by Hurricane Michael Myers (Ok, just Michael)? I mean, all this talk of tragedy and politics makes it hard to be positive during the day.
A quick scan of headlines this morning brought no surprises. Fox News' top five were tragedy, politics, politics, PC, and #METOO. CNN looked different with titles on religion, romance, and entertainment, but actually reading that network's top stories revealed tragedy, political view of tragedy, and political view of religion. NBC News carried a story about Carson Wentz leading the Eagles to victory over Eli's embattled Giants amid five other headlines of – you guessed it – tragedy, politics in religion, politics from tragedy (that's a twist), international politics in religion, and politics in international tragedy. Not to be outdone, ABC News focused on tragedy, politics and politics, with a sideline of politics in religion. And finally, of the old Big Three, CBS News headlined tragedy, tragedy, tragedy, politics, politics in religion, international politics, and, wait for it, tragedy.
I have to ask. What did you expect? Those major news networks thrive on ratings and serious ratings have always come from bad news. CNN was founded on the idea that 24/7 coverage of bad news would catapult the now almost 40-year-old network above Peter Jennings and David Brinkley.
Maybe now is a good time for an analogy.
Two boys made a pact. One day, they would both walk into the local NFL stadium to the cheers of thousands of adoring fans. One boy spent every day exercising, eating the right foods, studying the game and ignoring his cravings for sugar and beer. The other ate what he wanted, played video games instead of working out, and knew the difference between Guinness and Bud Light. When that day came, one boy skipped onto the field wearing number 13 after having signed the largest quarterback contract in the history of the NFL. His friend was already on the field, having rolled up the tarps as part of the grounds crew. Both boys made it to the NFL stadium amid cheers, but only one followed the path to his dream.
In other words, garbage in, garbage out.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul instructed young Christians on how to avoid falling into a depressing slump created by the news agencies of his day. He said...:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." (Phil 4:8, NIV)
So today's message is simple. Garbage in, garbage out. Read the story about the Eagles' victory during Thursday Night Football and watch the video about newborn baby elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Or, here's a thought, Google "Christian news network" and follow one of the links there. When you remove everything around you that is trying to influence you, at the bottom of that barrel you find a choice – you can focus on the garbage, or you can focus on what is true, noble, and right. Make the right choice, and see how your day improves.
–Mark Klages is an influential contributor, a former US Marine and a lifelong teacher who focuses on applying a Christian worldview to everyday events. Mark blogs at https://maklagesl3.wixsite.com/website under the title "God Provides where Hate Divides," with a heart to heal social, political, relational, and intellectual wounds through God's divine love and grace. Mark can also be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-klages-04b42511/.