Salt and Light Version 2

Matthew 5:13-16 says,

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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.

As I was reading this originally, I was thinking, “Yes…of course we are to be salt and light. That’s our whole purpose in life.” But, then I began thinking about what people actually SEE when they see us. What do our facial expressions show? Our demeanor as we encounter bad drivers, busy schedules, slow waiters, etc? What to people think who have never spoken to us, but just see our outward appearance? My prayer is that we radiate with joy as we “minister” through our days—that they don’t see another grumpy, dissatisfied, joyless, faceless person...but that we make an impact.

I remember being in Cuba last summer (July). It was so hot there that every time we drank a bottle of water, it just ran out our pores. It felt like hydration was futile! But, there was one night that this woman came up to me. I could tell by the look on her face that she was blessed by the service, and in her broken English, she said to me, “I come here every night, and I see your face—and the sweat that pours off of you. You are so hot and sweaty….” Okay…at this point I was thinking “You came all the way over here to tell me that? Thanks for pointing out the obvious.” But then she continued, “…but God has blessed us through your music and through the worship here. The joy is evident in your face.” Whew….she hadn’t just seen me sweat! She had worshiped God & seen joy.

The fact of the matter is, each one of us is being observed, even when we don’t realize it. We may be observed by another team church member, a neighbor, a child or a stranger. We need to protect our witness at every turn. As you make that extra effort each day to be a witness, remember that your touch or hug to a person may be the only one he/she receives today. As your voice is tired, or your arms ache from playing, remember that the message that you sing and play may fall on ears that are opened to the Gospel for the first time. As you keep your cool during a frustrating traffic jam, remember that you may be just the person to help calm another soul. As you bring a Christmas gift to an orphan or a person less fortunate, remember that you may be the only “Jesus with skin on” that they see this Christmas. Souls can be won to Christ even today through your everyday living of life.

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. You know…I didn’t mind that the Cuban woman saw me sweat, as long as she was somehow pointed to my Father in Heaven, and blessed because of it.

Father, help us to serve you with joy today. As we ache, fill us with Your strength. As our minds and attitudes grow weary, fill us with Your joy. Help us to be aware that we are witnesses 24/7, and help the people everywhere to see You through our daily lives. All of the glory is Yours, Father. We love You! Amen.