"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."
Matthew 5:13-16
My parents lost a "salt and light" friend to cancer in November, 2010. Pat was the kind of woman you can't quite believe is for real when you first meet her. She was energetic, lively, animated, affectionate, fun-loving, compassionate, generous, encouraging, thoughtful, courageous and supportive of anyone who needed a listening ear. No room was dim if she was in it. She and her husband Larry modeled a marriage built on mutual respect, faith and vow-keeping love. Pat's solid faith shone through in everything she said and did. Mom says she would walk away from any conversation that hinted of gossip to carry her light to another part of the room. I imagine that's why she could and did always see the best in other people.
Imagine the joy of closeness with someone like Pat, yet, there must be costs for those who do, since she lived to such a high standard. From what I understand, she was always "all of the above" and won every senior class superlative, choosing to keep "Friendliest." That kind of popularity is bound to cause some jealousy or friction. She was most likely criticized as a "goody-two-shoes" or a "kill-joy" at some point when she wouldn't participate in questionable activities. She may have been resented by believers who didn't walk the talk. Her kindness would have suffered misunderstanding, cynicism and watchful eyes. Her light probably made as many people uncomfortable as it comforted and her salt may have healed some while it stung others. We can assume these things happened because they happened to Jesus. So, if we could interview Ms. Pat in heaven now, do you think she would say she regretted "missing out" on something or that she wishes she had given into the majority's wishes so they wouldn't have felt judged?
Our choices to obey Christ will at times inconvenience, convict, or annoy other people. This cost of discipleship doesn't seem such a high price until we people-pleasers are in the middle of "a situation," surrounded by peer pressure. Even adult believers feel peer pressure in the form of "don't act holier than thou," "have a little fun," gossipy prayer requests, and cliques. When the pressure's on, we're called to follow Christ, which means sometimes walking away from the crowd to regroup, hear His voice and get His will down-Pat.
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
His cross before me, the world behind me,
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho none go with me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
Thank You, God, for people like Pat who show us what You can do through yielded believers. We don't have to live tossed here-and-there lives other people determine for us. You work miraculously through our submissiveness so we submit to Your Will, Lord, knowing we'll never regret it. Strengthen us against peer pressure and wanting to please people more than You. Mold us into people like Pat.
In the Name of Jesus, Who taught us to be salt and light
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