11.1.2007

Matthew 5:13-16

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.

Hello everyone!

It has been quite a busy time for me; I should probably be taking more time and paying more attention to rest. I’ve been neglecting certain things that I love doing and certain things that I don’t necessarily love to do, but should get done (particularly the kind of things that require cleaning the apartment – oi!). But with that thought aside, I hope that you have been more restful than I, and have been able to celebrate the gift of down time.

As always, there is much that I could share. There are still things from the last Weekly that I sent that I’d like to talk about, and it’s amazing what can happen between now and then that brings up other thoughts. Lately I’d been in conversations about following Christ and faith; and then I’d also been thinking about serving Him where we live and having the compassion and loving the places where we live. When God called Abraham, for example, Abraham had no idea where he was going. God said “Go to the place I lead you,” and Abraham went. While I don’t think that too many of us (though some of us do) get the direct voice of God telling us where we ought to live next, I do believe that there is a purpose in being in the places you and I are currently at. This was the case with Esther, who found herself in a royal position around the same time when n edict was sent for the destruction of the Jews… she became the king’s wife and was able to plead for her people (Esther 4:14, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” said to Esther when she was not completely willing to speak to the king.)

Whether you are in school, or working in a business, or working part-time while you look for a career, there’s a reason for being where you are right now. Now, I can’t tell you what that might be. But, I can suggest that perhaps you are where you are to grow as a Christian. I can suggest that maybe there is one person – maybe even the one that annoys you the most – that needs to hear/see the Gospel and the love of God. I could suggest a lot of things but the point is that it can be so easy to be discontent with the place we’re in, that once we start complaining about it we end up missing the opportunity to be blessed… or to bless someone else with the kind of blessing that comes from a servant’s heart. Our scope becomes too small, or too self-focused, or too boxed in. Worse yet, maybe we’re too busy living in our prospective future situation that we totally miss what’s going on in the present. Rather than do that, look for how God may want to use you or teach something to you in your current situation. Look for ways that you can serve those who are around you right now. Take joy in the little things you can find so that your heart can be more grateful for the fact that you have what you do.

There’s a phrase that I heard a long time ago and recently heard again: “Bloom where you’re planted.” Maybe your neighbors need to know that Christ’s love is deeper and more forgiving than they think. Maybe your coworker needs to see what a compassionate Christian looks like. Maybe your classmate’s wounds need to be healed. Maybe your family needs to see what God’s grace really looks like. Maybe you need to learn how to trust in, wait on, or depend on God. Maybe you’re not willing to budge but God really is calling you to go somewhere else.

“Maybe” a lot of things; I don’t know your situation. Take courage though: the God who saved you and holds you close is the same God that gives you strength to be a light in the world. He isn’t going to let you down as long as you look and listen to what He’s got in store for you. And that’s my prayer for all of us.

In love and in Him,

Your sister,

Yvonne