Becoming Purposeful - Part 4

Focus Scripture

Matthew 5 : 13-16

‘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.

Daily Byte

Salt, giving the world flavour, and light, giving the world colour. Two simple things that make a huge difference to our lives. This is what we - as individuals and as Church - are called to be. God’s mission is not about making the entire world the same - bland and tasteless. Nor is it about making the world black and white. Rather, it is about bringing out the rich and varied tastes, the hues and textures, in people and places and creatures. If the world is not a more flavourful, colourful, vibrant place because of us, we have misunderstood our mission!

What are your favourite flavours and colours? Now imagine that they were taken out of your world. How would that feel? Have there been times when your faith has done that to your life or to others around you? Now imagine what a faith that adds colour and flavour to the world looks like. Wouldn’t you love your faith to embody that more? How can your own personal worship be more colourful and flavourful? And how can you allow worship to teach you to be salt and light in your world?

Pray As You Go

If not for light, the world would be dark and monochrome;
no colour, no texture, no art, no beauty.
If not for salt, the world would be bland and depressing;
no joy in eating, no exciting flavours,
nourishment for the body perhaps,
but not for the soul.
How two such small things
can make such a big difference!

I long to be light and salt, Jesus;
to bring joy and beauty,
richness and vibrancy to the world.
Won’t you teach me, Jesus,
to use your words,
to embrace your attitudes,
to imitate your actions,
so that I can be a joy-bringer,
and a life-bringer to my world.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com