"There's Some Good in this World...and it's Worth Fighting For."

 

In the world we live in today, hopelessness is around every corner. Multiple locks adorn every door. Disease and desperation are creeping up on us from every side. Every time you turn on the TV it seems like something tragic is being broadcasted on the news: medics assisting wounded from wrecked cars or burning buildings, or police apprehending some kind of gunman or bomber. Some people try to argue against injustices by taking the law into their own hands, rallying or mobbing or even sometimes shooting, but you can't fight fire with fire. You can't fight hopelessness with desperation. The only thing that will fight fire is water, and the only thing that will counter hopelessness is hope.




"It is the man who gives his coffee to the homeless."

Despite being a broken, sinful race, we humans are capable of goodness: acts of generosity or kindness that can touch hearts, and if enough hearts are touched, a single person can change the course of the world. Or at least the culture of humanity as we see it now. And it is this part of us, this goodness, that can be the healing water to Satan's fire. It isn't the Superman that will do the most against the wretchedness of the world. It is the man who gives his coffee to the homeless. It is the woman who pays for the car behind her at the drive-through. It's the teen who opens a door for the elderly, the child who puts a quarter in the church offering plate, and the boss who thanks the janitor. And it is these bits of good, these people whose actions touch us somehow, that we are fighting for. These people give us hope. They give us courage. And they give us the strength to imitate them and, in our way, to make a difference against the violent and turbulent world.

But how will we gain this courage and strength if we do not know about the steps that others take for good? How can we be inspired if we aren't aware of the generous child, the thoughtful woman, or the kind teenager? It is only the very rare occasion when the story like that makes the news. And that's why I have created this blog: to share the stories of the good people and to see if, by inspiring others, they can't make a dent in the problems of today.

"As for me, I will always have hope (Psalm 71:14)." I know that the planet we live on is a dark, dark place. I know that nothing we do, really, is ever going to change that. I don't believe in an earthly utopia. But the things we do for each other can show others, and ourselves, that there is hope. That, as Sam told Frodo, "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." I wholeheartedly believe that.