Connected in The Word 2-4-26
You are the salt of the earth… Matthew 5:13
You are the light of the world… Matthew 5:14
When you go somewhere, let’s say a restaurant, a party, a meeting, or even the grocery store, are you someone who just blends in with the crowd, or are you someone who sticks out of the crowd? This would be a difficult question for me to answer. When I go somewhere, I go with the intention of just blending in with the crowd. I would be perfectly happy getting into the restaurant, meeting, or store and then getting out without anyone knowing I was even there. However, once I get to these places, for better or for worse, I have a habit of making my presence known.
Sometimes in meetings it’s hard for me to keep my opinions to myself. Often in the checkout line at the store, I hit the wrong button on a keypad, scan an item twice, or need help reading screen because I forgot my glasses. I can’t resist having a ten-minute conversation with someone at Home Depot about my current home improvement project. If you see someone accidently collide with a waitress at a restaurant, it was probably me. Whether it’s my clumsiness, my ability to clog up the checkout line at Aldi, or my inability to hold my tongue – I tend to stick out like a sore thumb wherever I go.
When Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, He is reminding us that we are NOT to just blend in with the crowd. Of course, I don’t think He means for us to stick out of the crowd the way I sometimes do, but I do think we are called to be salt and light. We have been called to love and care for others, to confess sins and forgive sins, and to proclaim the Gospel and fulfill our vocations faithful. We are called to be in the Word, pray, and receive God’s Gifts in worship regularly. These are the ways that we are to stick out of the crowd in this world. Don’t stick out like sore thumb. Stick out like a loved child of God.
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