How Can You Be the Person God Intended?

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus encourages us to be salt and light. Salt had the potential to keep meat pure as well as to enhance the flavor of food. Jesus prompts us to be his pure voice in what comprises our world.

Jesus used the symbol of light to remind us that we reflect the light of Jesus in our circle of activity. Jesus asks, “Where is the salt? Where is the light?” It’s difficult to remember what Jesus intends for us to be in a world of distractions.

1 Samuel 28 describes how Saul, King of Israel, permitted trust for God to lapse into careless disregard by seeking help from a woman who promised she could call up Samuel’s spirit from his grave. Saul needed Samuel’s advice, for he had abandoned his relationship with God by refusing to be salt and light as God intended. 

Being salt and light is a choice to love and serve God with your entire self.

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God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 God’s Word Translation

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Do You Hate or Enjoy Life's Schedules?

The schedules for school, work, and home require structure for our lives, plus they appropriately provide meaning and purpose for us. We as individuals need definite times and places to be meaningfully engaged in life. We need loved ones to go home to, where love and affection are shared.

I realize life isn’t always pleasant or kind, so we may have to endure some stressed out ways of managing daily life and responsibilities. What’s amazing is how God has created us to be adaptable so we can feel joy by realizing he faithfully provides for our needs.

Even Jesus needed time to rest so he then could put himself back out into the world of people and work. God intended for us to do the work he designed for us, which includes being the salt of the earth and light of the world. This means letting others see what God can do with a life that’s dedicated to serving him. Be that person God has called.

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The Lord guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him. If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

~Psalm 37:23-24 Good News Bible

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Salt, Light, and Second-Milers - Part 2

While waiting to park at a grocery store, a man walked in front of my car to remove a shopping cart that occupied the space. Later when I saw him in the store and acknowledged his kindness, he said, "The way I see  it, what goes around, comes around." That simple act of kindness made a big difference in my day.

His attitude and action demonstrated a character quality Jesus referred to as "salt of the earth and light of the world." Think of salt and light as kindness and spontaneous generosity which reveal other-centeredness and flexibility that point them to Christ Jesus. Helping others by being gracious will sustain you when troubles or hardships come to your house.

This concept is hard to grasp. We've learned to do only what's required, not to be a second-miler, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:41. He also encouraged each person to "give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will others give to you."  God loves a cheerful giver, so be alert for opportunities to do so.