In this Peanuts cartoon the ever confident Lucy is of course displaying an unrealistic and rather elevated opinion of herself, but let’s consider for just a moment if the same could be said of each and every one of us. What if we were all genuinely trying to make the world a better place by letting the light of Christ’s presence in our lives shine wherever He has placed us? I’ve always enjoyed the late Eugene Petersen’s paraphrase of Christ’s words in the Gospel of Matthew where in The Message chapter 5 he says,
“13 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.”
(Matthew 5:13 MSG)
In the apostle Peter’s first epistle, he encourages us as believers to “12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see our good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Peter 2:12NIV). In other words, we can make the world a better place through our actions. In John Piper’s commentary on this verse he comments that “This is Peter’s clearest statement as to how we can make a name for God … if we maintain good conduct and don’t grow weary in doing good.” Just think for a minute about what a difference you and I can make in this broken and hurting world if we let our lights shine; if we live out this verse and those in our sphere of influence would testify that the office is a better place to work because you work there, your neighbourhood is a better place to live because you live there; the school your children go to is a better place because your family are part of it.
Granted, none of us can change the world singlehandedly, but by God’s grace we can let the difference Christ has made in us individually, make a difference in the world around us. So my fellow love filled, life givers, let’s be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth, and light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. Let’s strive to live such good lives that those around us may see our good deeds and glorify God! Let us ask God to show us where we can splash some colour in a somewhat drab world.
God bless you,
Calven
Decolores!
Decolores ! 4:06:2020 15.55
Decolores ! 4:06:2020 15.55 🌈