Daily Bread

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

This is what it means to be an active participant in God's kingdom — to be both salt and light.

The thing with salt and light (from lamps) is that they are both enhancers, one of food, and one of surroundings. The very worst thing that can happen is if salt loses its saltiness — it just becomes dust, and a light that is hidden is also a waste. But similarly, salt that stays in the salt-cellar, and a lamp that is not put on a stand are also of no use!

We have a role to play in the ongoing mission of God in the world, and that mission is the redemption, renewal, and restoration of all creation. The thing is, at times, in our personal lives and on a national and global scale it feels like we are in a losing battle, and the temptation is to do one of four things:

Firstly, we can fight violence with violence — enforce our Christianity on others, and stamp out corruption, greed, and injustice wherever it may be found.

Secondly, we can hide away in enclaves — Christian bubbles — bury our heads in the sand, and wait it out.

Thirdly, we can accept this is the way the world works and collude with it, put ourselves first, and get on with our lives as best we can.

Fourthly, we can give up and adopt a position of apathy and indifference, figuring we're not gonna make much of a difference anyway.

But... there is a fifth way and this is the way of Jesus — and it is the way of love. It is a way that says retaliation and violence is not the answer. It is a way that says we need to be fully aware of the corruption and environmental damage we are doing. It is a way that says we don't need to collude with a world of materialism. And it is way that perseveres and never gives up.

Today, you and I are called to be salt and light in this world, to live differently, to stand up and stand out, as we bear witness to Christ's love and reach out to a hurting world with God's love.

Holy God
May I never stop being the person
you created me to be;
someone full of gentleness, care,
devotion, and perseverance.
May I never give up hope
that your love will win in the end.
Help me be Jesus to the world.
Now and forever.