My wife and I have participated in a small group with three other couples for many years. We meet monthly in each other’s homes to enjoy a good meal and enriching conversations. The New Testament describes similar activity in the first church, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46-47). The first Christians encouraged one another by meeting together with thousands of new believers in the temple and meeting in smaller groups in homes.
Small groups can have many benefits. However, we know that if we are not careful, our informal discussions quickly become griping sessions. While there seems to be plenty of worldly things to complain about, lately, we specialize in griping about bad news in our country — inflation, politics, horrific violence, acceptance of sexual deviance, and the degradation of our culture. After an evening of rehashing the latest bad news, we leave discouraged rather than edified and conclude there is not much we can do except pray for the Lord’s return.
However, this past week was different. Following dinner, our hostess invited us into the family room and said, “I want you to listen to a new, uplifting song I’ve just heard.” She loaded YouTube on their television and played the song “In the Meantime” by Jess Ray. She passed around a copy of the lyrics, which included the encouragement phrase, “I’m the One in control; you’re the one that I’m holding. I’ll take your burdens on my shoulders and carry us on.”
When the song ended, our hostess said, “Let’s go around the room, and each of you choose your favorite Christian song or group that’s blessed you in the past.” So for the next hour, we watched and listened to uplifting music. We delighted in songs such as “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” from Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty, “Welcome Holy Spirit” (my request) from the Triumphant Quartet, “Then Came the Morning” from Ernie Haas and Signature Sound, “God Bless the USA” and “How Great Thou Art” from the acapella group Home Free, and “Believe” from Brooks & Dunn. My wife, who loves piano, requested an instrumental medley of hymns by her favorite pianist, Kim Collingsworth.
It was an inspirational night! We explained why a particular song ministered to us and even teased each other a little about being “old” or “country.” We worshipped, experienced spiritual goosebumps, and left uplifted and more edified than usual because we quit griping and started praising — all because our hostess intentionally directed the conversation toward something edifying. It reminded us that if we “turn our eyes upon Jesus and look into his wonderful face, the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.”
Two lessons: Technology can be used to bless rather than to curse. We hear a lot about what’s wrong with social and mass media. Yet it can also be used to do much good. We live in a remarkable era! Simply speak a phrase into a remote control, and suddenly, you are in the middle of a concert from the world’s greatest Christian musicians or taught by the world’s best preachers. Some evening after dinner, why not sit your family around the television and ask each one to call out their favorite song or moment in history. Once you relive it together, discuss what you have just heard.
The most important lesson is to be more intentional about staying positive. Admittedly there is much wrong with our world. We can spend hours expressing legitimate frustrations. However, the problem is that only identifying the problem does not resolve it. The gospel is good news. As Christians, we have much to be thankful for. There is still much that is good about our country, our church, and our community. Let us affirm the hope of the gospel.
The best psychology in the world can be found in Philippians 4:8-9: “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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Amen and Amen.
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