Growing up I could guarantee that come 6pm STV News would be on in our house, closely followed by BBC News at 6:30pm. To this day, my parents still have the news on at 6pm. I think it is fair to say that many people say they do not keep up with the news anymore – it always feels negative. I do understand this as it is often true, but having grown up with the news always on, I see the value in knowing what is happening in the world. The key thing I find with the news, is trying to look at it with the correct perspective.
Yes, the majority of news is very negative but do you have the ability to see through that and want to learn the truth? Or is it easier to take the news at face value and accept it as negative. The media may love negative news but here at Glasgow City Mission, we love good news!
As I write this blog, we have seen over 200 unique individuals come through our door at the Overnight Welcome Centre. We have not had to turn anyone away from our door without helping them access support. Our guests come through our venue via different streams but once they arrive, we support them as best as we are able. This involves a whole range of partnerships from the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, Simon Community Scotland, British Red Cross, Lodging House Mission, Shelter Scotland… I could go on and on about our partners as we have so many. I often say to people that we are really great at providing a safe place for people to sleep but we require the expertise of our partners to truly provide the best kind of support. I genuinely cannot think of another city in the world that works the way Glasgow does when it comes to partnership working. This is good news.
Over 200 guests is a lot. Each of these individuals has had a safe place to stay for the night, with a full staff team on site 24/7. They have had access to as much food as they would like and, hopefully, we have been able to show them their value once again. We have supported many of our guests into more suitable accommodation and our Housing Settlement Officers continue to link in with those guests. This is good news.
Since the pandemic hit, we have progressed so much in the type of service we provide the people of Glasgow. If COVID-19 had not happened, I am not confident in saying we would be where we are today. The service we provide is far more dignified for our guests. This is good news.
So what kind of news are you focussing on? Are you wrapped up in fake news or are you looking for the good that is happening in our world?
Philippians 4:8 reads,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Ephesians 4:31-32 reads,
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
As believers, I think it is important to view life with a Kingdom mind-set and focus on the good in this world. Think upon what is good and go searching for it. Encourage others with good news – be kind to one-another and whilst you do this, do not forget the most important thing – we ultimately know the best Good News there is. Our Saviour will return to this earth so why not take every opportunity, as if it will be our last chance, and go out and share this Good News.
Follow this link for a recent article in the Glasgow Times about our Overnight Welcome Centre: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19863606.amp/.
