salt & light

“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.”

Matthew 5:13-16 (the Message)

If you met me, would this reflect who I am? It is who I long to be. Seasoning up life with God-like grace and love and actions. How often I fall short, even with my own family. And when I take a moment to think about just how gracious my God has been towards me, how many times I’ve let Him down, it just helps to re-affirm the truths of this passage. Even with the bland sprinkled throughout me, there is still a great deal of use in me. Even with my faults, he’s not putting me under a bucket. I’m meant to beacon.

I know that this is something I must be conscious of, especially when it comes to my husband and children. I read, in a book today, that a parent is “one of the most influential Christians to their children. You’re life will be the most irrefutable evidence  to them that following Jesus is the very best way to go through life”. Wow. Now, I knew this, subconsciously, but to read it on paper and to re-read it…this was so convicting. I think, given the spiritual mismatch of my husband and I, that this also holds true for my husband. I need to reflect the salt and light that I am called to be always, but most importantly to my family as my actions and decisions will help shape who they become and what they will believe. So thankful for new mercies because, all too often, I am just not getting it right. But I am also thankful for the opportunities to confess to them and begin anew.

If you meet me, I hope He shows through me and that through me, he touches your heart. Even if it’s just a simple reminder that you are loved. I hope I open up myself so that you can see Him shining there. I hope that God shines out of my spirit and heart. And if, for some reason I don’t, if He is in you, would you kindly open up to me. Because we are here to be salt, and we are here to shine.