The psalmist exhorted, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psa 34.14). But this wasn’t the last time this was recorded in God’s word, for Peter quoted it in his first epistle: “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Pet. 3.11). The Christian must make every effort to live life and to use the abilities God has provided for godly purposes. What are we doing with our lives and the opportunities afforded us?

It kind of reminds me of my computer keyboard that I use almost every day. The keyboard on our computers has all twenty six letters of the alphabet, punctuation symbols such as the question mark, exclamation point, periods, commas, colons and semicolons, and numerous other symbols in common use today, along with number keys. With built-in software programs in our computers, these specific keys can produce additional characters as well.

With this simple keyboard we are able to type letters to our children, our parents, our mates, our friends, and even our enemies. We are able to write a novel that will captivate millions, or spread a lie that will circle the globe. There is no end to the possibilities of this keyboard.

Many have used the keyboard to encourage others to do the right thing even though the advice is rejected. Others stick their nose in things that don’t concern them. The keyboard is neutral. It isn’t a good thing, and it isn’t a bad thing, but it becomes a good thing typed by fingers of goodness, and it can become a bad thing when touched with unclean hands.

God wants us to communicate a message of hope to a troubled, divided and despairing world. Our keyboard must be used to radiate an unfailing hope for better times. We must use it for good and not evil. May we take those twenty-six letters and create a masterpiece of truth without mixture of the errors of legalism, liberalism, or any other kind of “ism” that fail to “hold fast the pattern of sounds words…in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1.13).

Type those keys to write uplifting words, and send them out with love and hope. This has been the intention of the articles I have included in our weekly church bulletin for nearly twenty-four years now. I hope these articles have informed you, encouraged you, motivated you, and even challenged you to become stronger and more faithful in your service to Christ – that has been my intention.