More than anything, it is fear that keeps people from doing what God calls them to do. Especially when it comes to being visible in front of people, fear has a tendency to keep us lost in the crowd. We say we don't want to draw attention to ourselves. We say we don't want to be different from others. We let the "crazy ones" be the ones people watch... but this text challenges us about all that. God has given you gifts to use for his purpose, and while it doesn't necessarily mean being in front of crowds speaking or performing, it does mean being seen by others for who you are. There's no need to hide your true self. It's the light that God gave uniquely to you. Let it shine!
Readings: Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Niether do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14-16
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I needed to read this post today.
ReplyDeleteCome, let US go down and confuse their language...
ReplyDeleteThis is a reference to the plurality of God, is it not? We see here that the LORD (which in all caps means we are speaking of a Covenant God, not just a "Lord" as a title) referring to Himself as "us." Who is the "us?" Is this referring to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus, who are already, all three, together in Heaven and co-creators of the world and the universe?
So, Abram pimps out his wife? What's up with that?
"So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and EVERYTHING HE HAD, and Lot went with him. HE HAD BECOME VERY WEALTHY IN LIVESTOCK AND IN SILVER AND GOLD. For real? What a bum. I'm kind of mad at Abram right now.
In Matthew, this reminded me of something I read that was written by Ray VanderLaan (a Jewish Christian). He said that salt is added to fire to make it burn brighter. (I tried to Google this so I would understand the chemistry behind that, but couldn't substantiate what RVL says.) If you lose your saltiness, you are no longer good for making things burn brightly. He moves straight from that analogy into the light on a hill. It's sort of neat to think my "saltiness" can make the cause of God to burn more brightly. But, on the flip side of that coin, if I lose my saltiness, I'll be tossed out to be trampled by the people coming back and forth to the fire. Not a cool image. Paula