Blessing A City

"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. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Pastor Carl has exhorted us to be a city within the city of Sarasota, and to be a blessing to our community, and not a burden or a thorn in their side. I’ve been thinking about this often lately, and realize how backwards this is from so much that we’ve been brought up as believers to think! How often do we feel that it is “us-them”, that we have the words of eternal life, whereas they are pagans that are in the dark and we need to bust the door open and shine the obnoxious light and expose them in their darkness?

Recently my wife and I were at the dollar movies and the door in the back of the theatre was constantly being opened by some teens that came in and out and every time they opened the door, the light from the foyer would be blinding, annoying, and distracting. Eventually people in the movie were getting upset and certainly didn’t appreciate the light! Often I believe that is how we as believers can come across.

We hear that there is no prayer in school, so we want to sue or demonstrate or fight the city and demand prayer be allowed again. But prayer has never left school! Students are praying all over the world on their campuses and God is answering those prayers. Our desire to come against the city council or the local government to flash our rights won’t bless the community in the end.

Instead of trying to become political, the body of Christ needs to focus on being spiritual! We can fight the government for our rights in marriage politically but if we aren’t keeping our marriages centered under the cross of Christ, what does that communicate about Christian marriage to the world? As we seek to bless our neighborhoods, our businesses, our friends and families and even supposed enemies, God will work on our rights and voice.

We are told to be salt and light by the verses above. Salt preserves, and is an additive to make some food taste better. But too much salt can also cause nausea. We need to be salt and light that attracts the world: not heavy salt that turns people away, or obnoxious lights that cause people to go deeper into the darkness, but salt and light that is attractive to people lost and thirsty for truth. Think and pray about ways you can be a blessing to your neighbors this upcoming holiday season. Put the light on its stand, and let the world see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

In love with Sarasota and Bradenton,

Pilgrim