New Testament Journey Day 12 – This comes from Matthew 5:13-16 – “Jesus teaches about salt and light”.

What’s your favorite seasoning? Mine is “Montreal Steak”. If I opened it and the “flavor” was gone – I’d just throw it in the trash. If seasoning has no flavor it has no value. If we as Christians make no effort to effect the world around us, we are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless to the Kingdom. Christians should not “blend in” with everyone else. Instead, we should affect those around us positively, just as season brings out the best flavor in food, we should bring out the best in those around us.

I think of a post I read this week on FB by someone who witnessed a random act of kindness in the grocery. An elderly lady couldn’t get her card to work. Her bill was near $300.00. A man stepped u and swiped his card without thinking even as she told him not to. The one who watched this said “That was so kind of you!” To which he replied, “It’s just money, you can’t take it with you.” Oh to be so eternity minded! Not only did he love like Jesus to the woman in need, but those around were touched. Touched so much they couldn’t stop thinking of it and then took the time to write about it. And what I love most about that story? The man wasn’t looking for that attention. He likely didn’t care if anyone knew. Pure hearts. Pure Obedience. No ulterior motives other than to share the love of Jesus and change the world around us. THAT’s what God longs for!

He goes on to talk about us being like a city on a hill. Think about driving during the day – you see towns, and cities, but they never stand out like when you’re driving at night. When you’ve been driving for miles on a trip on the highway and it’s been dark …driving through farmland or mountains… and then you start to see the glow of a city! A city that can provide you a place to fuel up and a place to get rest. I always say the “Darker the night, the brighter the light.”

So many people are living in darkness right now. They watch way too much social media, news, and just feel lost and hopeless. Now more than ever God is calling you to SHINE! Be a light! Show others what Christ is like. We hide our light when we are quiet when we should speak. By going along with the crowd. By denying the light and by letting sin dim our light. By not explaining the truth to others, or ignoring the needs of those around us. We need to rise up now more than ever and LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

Enjoy the weekend friends. And if you are out and about today – let that light inside of you shine bright. Smile at everyone you see. Offer to help someone in need. Post something POSITIVE today if you are on social media. Send someone a text telling them you are thinking of them and just wanted to let them know.