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Posted by [email protected] on June 23, 2013 at 4:35 PM
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Matthew 5:13-16
Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
I have a growing passion to be light to the world, both where we are today in location and circumstances, as well as to the ends of the earth. But at times that seems so lofty. What does light look like, pouring forth from my life? Reading the above passage in The Message was like reading these verses for the first time. " Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (vs. 16)
Generosity, hospitality, a bouquet of sweet peas passed over the fence to a neighbor. Selfless loved poured out... shining forth... spilling over... prompting people via kindness to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven!
Am I willing to step out through the front door of my life and leave it wide open? Am I wiling to allow people to come into my home and my life with their messy shoes and unruly children? Am I willing to use our money to fill hungry bellies and hungry hearts? Even if it's messy and inconvenient?
I am inspired anew to let my light shine today.
When Christ was on the earth He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) When he left His disciples and ascended into Heaven he charged His followers, "You are the light of the world... let your life so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."
We are here to be Light! So arise and shine with me!
Linking up for the first time with Scripture and a Snapshot and The Sunday Community.
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