Beautiful Feet

Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news. (Isaiah 52:7)

IT IS OFTEN SAID THAT YOU will be remembered not for what you say but by how people feel when they are around you. That’s a sobering and profound truth for anyone who wants to influence this world, but it also represents an extraordinary opportunity. You can build meaningful, lasting relationships by expressing the warmth, security, and joy of the Kingdom of God.

Complaining, bitterness, discouragement, and negativity leave a lasting impression, and not a good one. The good news, however, is that we always have good news. As believers in a compassionate, loving, wise, all-powerful Father, we have wonderfully encouraging stories to tell. We have promises to declare, hopes to proclaim, silver linings to point out, and so much more. No situation in this world is hopeless; even the worst events have threads of redemption running through them. God has told us so, and we have seen it ourselves. We have no reason to despair.

Even so, people around us will despair. That’s where we come in as bearers of good news. Clearly the message of salvation is the core of that good news, but it is a comprehensive, all-of-life salvation. When we point others to the hope we have been given despite what we experience on earth and put a positive light on today’s headlines, we are bearers of good news. The media will give us a constant stream of tragic circumstances, but we see the bigger picture. God is at work in this world, amazing things are happening, and we get to participate in and tell the story.

That’s what it means to be a giver of hope and a bearer of good news. People are drawn to God through such words and begin to feel his presence. Soon, many are asking how they can know him. The message becomes simple, and responses become deep. The good news of every aspect of salvation, not only in its ultimate sense but also in its relevance to here-and-now situations, creates a heavenly environment. And the bearer of good news is beautiful in the eyes of God.

{Lord, put beautiful words in my mouth. Give me the grace to speak profound, truthful words of hope in every situation. Draw people to the promise of your Kingdom. Let me voice the nature of your goodness always. Amen.