Salt and Light

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Mathew 5:11-16




Some people just light up a room with their smile and their beauty. Sometimes that light can go dark so easily. Those who live to serve, who are always sweet, kind and loving, who make room for others, and who don't even recognize the impact they have on others - it is these folks who are true light. They are not a bauble, nor a shiny decoration, but rather are shining stars in the darkness, bending their light so that others might see and thrive. They live so others might know the living love of God in their lives. I am blessed to know several people like that. The world may not recognize their light and make them a star, but they are a true treasure for the rest of us.

Jesus is teaching up on the mountain. The disciples are new as a group and these are the core lessons they remember and recalled. They memorized the words because the words changed their lives. When their time with Jesus was complete, they remembered these words that were the heart of their ministries and shared them with all that would listen and they passed them down to us.

Today I ask God to help me be salt and light for others. May we find our blessings as we bring simple gifts to others, as we make room for those who have been pushed to the margin.