Finding meaning
One of the deepest questions in life is, “Why am I here?” Without a clear answer people can become depressed or even reach the point of thinking that life isn’t worth living. Following Jesus Christ helps us to find God’s intended meaning and purpose for our lives. He said to his first followers,
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours 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-colours 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. [15] 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. [16] 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 Msg)
Following Jesus means being like salt that “brings out the God-flavours of this earth”. Salt adds flavour to food. Being a “salty” person means living as God’s person in a way that adds God’s flavour to life. We may not be aware of the difference that we are making to others, but people notice it. Salt also makes us thirsty and a person who is reflecting genuine godliness causes others to be spiritually thirsty. I received a telephone call from a person like that some years ago. She had been observing the positive and peaceful example of a Christian lady who was in a Playgroup with her. When she rang she said, “I can see that she has a peace in her life that I don’t have. Can you come and talk to me about how I can become a Christian?”
Following Jesus means being like light, “bringing out the God-colours in the world”. Watching a movie in colour is such a different experience to watching it in black and white. Jesus says that when we follow him we experience life in full and vibrant colour. We can also help others to see the depth and dimension of life as a result of this. But he offers a word of challenge and warning. He says don’t hide your light under a bucket. This happens when we become ashamed and embarrassed about our faith. We may simply be silent or we may be two-faced, presenting one image to some people and another image to others.
Jesus finishes his point by saying,
“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”.
Are you living a life which is open to God and open to other people?
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours 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-colours 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. [15] 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. [16] 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 Msg)
Following Jesus means being like salt that “brings out the God-flavours of this earth”. Salt adds flavour to food. Being a “salty” person means living as God’s person in a way that adds God’s flavour to life. We may not be aware of the difference that we are making to others, but people notice it. Salt also makes us thirsty and a person who is reflecting genuine godliness causes others to be spiritually thirsty. I received a telephone call from a person like that some years ago. She had been observing the positive and peaceful example of a Christian lady who was in a Playgroup with her. When she rang she said, “I can see that she has a peace in her life that I don’t have. Can you come and talk to me about how I can become a Christian?”
Following Jesus means being like light, “bringing out the God-colours in the world”. Watching a movie in colour is such a different experience to watching it in black and white. Jesus says that when we follow him we experience life in full and vibrant colour. We can also help others to see the depth and dimension of life as a result of this. But he offers a word of challenge and warning. He says don’t hide your light under a bucket. This happens when we become ashamed and embarrassed about our faith. We may simply be silent or we may be two-faced, presenting one image to some people and another image to others.
Jesus finishes his point by saying,
“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”.
Are you living a life which is open to God and open to other people?
posted by Peter Wilson at 12:26 PM
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