One Minute Wiser Part 6 “Contagious” (THRIVE)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”

― Paul’s letter to the Philippians

“Nothing travels faster than the speed of light, with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws.”

― Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless

Viral can mean an infectious disease that is highly contagious and spreads quickly.

Viral can refer to a video or a social media story that spreads like wildfire.

Viral refers to anything that quickly accelerates and spreads from one person to the next until it reaches a critical mass.

The early church went viral before the word viral was in vogue. They possessed a deep and abiding sense of joy. And joy is contagious. The early church carried with them the joy of the Lord and it spread like wildfire across the world.

Good News travels fast.

Unfortunately, so does bad news.

It’s worse than that. Lies travel faster, broader, and deeper than the truth. How much faster? According to experts, about six times faster.

We’re all viral, meaning we can share the love of Christ wherever we go, or we can infect the people around us with our own bitterness, resentment, and anger. It’s our gift but also our choice.

If we can spread hatred, we can also spread love.

If we can exude negativity, we can also choose to be positive.

If we can tear people down, we can also build them up.

If we sense there is little good and no hope in this world, we can also choose to rejoice!

So, if we really have a choice, why in the world would we want to choose anything else but joy!

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!