Jo Bower's Blog

Searching For Good

That turn of phrase caught my eye:
If you search for good, you will find favor,
But if you search for evil, it will find you.

Isn’t it odd that evil finds you once you start looking,
But good doesn’t find you when you look for good?
I realize it’s the contrast the writer is going for here, but what if…..

What if good went looking for those who were seeking good?
Is there anything we can do to turn this saying around?
What can I do when I encounter someone looking or doing good?

What if instead of criticizing someone doing good
Because he/she isn’t doing it just right – the way I think it should be done –
I encouraged the effort, supporting, helping, praying, and give direction when asked.

What if I see someone doing good in public?
Do I ignore it?
After all, good has its own reward – we find favor.

What if I stop by the table in a restaurant
And let them know I appreciate their courage
To say grace before their meal in public?

What if I encourage a harried parent
Who is trying to teach their child how to act in public
By giving an encouraging word?

What if I say “good job” to someone
I observe as them trying to do good in public?
What if I make known someone’s unknown efforts to do good so others can help?

What if I quit finding fault with everything
And try looking for what’s good about it?
What would that do for everyone’s attitude?

I know, I know, it’s a tough world we live in.
We see a lot more evil than good.
And that’s my point.

What if we took a page from evil’s playbook?
When someone starts down the path toward evil, it rushes out to suck them in.
What if when someone starts down the path toward good, we rush out and enfold them?

What if that is one of the functions of the church?
Let’s go looking for others who are trying to do good,
Encourage people who are doing good, and offer them the relationship God provides.

And let’s see what happens.
I think the transformation would begin in our hearts.
Then move to the church, community, and who knows where it would end?

We talk about good in a more personal way than evil.
Can good grow good like evil spawns evil
In a corporate and public way?

When we see good – celebrate!
Encourage people doing and looking for good.
What do you think would happen if we help good find people who are looking for good?

Proverbs 11:27
If you search for good, you will find favor: but if you search for evil, it will find you.