Is there a middle road in Christianity, i ask myself?
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (Mt 5:13)
As salt of the earth, can we be only a wee bit salty? Can we use a part of our ability to season a meal and withhold the rest, thus running the risk that we are taken up, swept away and trampled underfoot by worldliness, pleasures linked to our senses and fears born in our minds?
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Mt 5:14-16)
As lights of the world, can Christians only shine a bit? Can we turn it on and off? Can we choose who will see our light and who shall be left in the dark? All or nothing, me thinks. Overwhelming, indeed! I am the rich man who agrees with the principles and motives for seasoning a man's meal and giving him the light by which he can share in the Love of God, but give up my wealth? Jesus asks me to take that extra step. Give all and i shall reap all. Let go and find solid ground upon which to stand firmly, a city on a mountain. To be Christian is to love God and neighbour, to be the seasoning to the food of life that improves flavour for all and to be that brilliant light shining out for all.
I shrink from the demand.
It wouldn't be the first time that my ego whispers 'give up, it's not attainable, it's neither realistic nor personally desirable'. It wouldn't be the first time that i am keen to save myself and the world from the darkness of Selfishness, of fear and hate and isolation, yet when presented with a simple path to that very end that i choose the familiar, the safe and the long and winding road.
I shrink from the gift.
There is however, strength in numbers. A church, a community, can stand together, yet it seems that the group, like the herd, chooses the lowest common denominator. Choose more. Choose goodness. Choose eternal life, we are asked as individuals. Choose to be salt and light for humanity. How to begin? How to commit? Yet how do i stay the same and safe in my choices? I know this can't be done, however, because if i commit there is no same and there is no guarantee of safety and security: that is not what life is about, though we pretend it is our only goal. Let go and choose to be more, Jesus says, choose to be the beings we are created for being! We no longer settle for second rate spices, because tasteless salt is useless. We no longer settle for a dim existence in the shadows or groping about in darkness when we ourselves hold the light if only we choose to ignite it and shine for all the world to see.
There are times when i stumble. God grant me the faith and courage to get back up and try again, try with wisdom and compassion and to be fully committed to being the person i am meant to be, the person that the Christ knows i am and can be ... if i humble my ego and let Him guide me.
Is there a middle road?
Deo gratias.
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (Mt 5:13)
As salt of the earth, can we be only a wee bit salty? Can we use a part of our ability to season a meal and withhold the rest, thus running the risk that we are taken up, swept away and trampled underfoot by worldliness, pleasures linked to our senses and fears born in our minds?
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Mt 5:14-16)
As lights of the world, can Christians only shine a bit? Can we turn it on and off? Can we choose who will see our light and who shall be left in the dark? All or nothing, me thinks. Overwhelming, indeed! I am the rich man who agrees with the principles and motives for seasoning a man's meal and giving him the light by which he can share in the Love of God, but give up my wealth? Jesus asks me to take that extra step. Give all and i shall reap all. Let go and find solid ground upon which to stand firmly, a city on a mountain. To be Christian is to love God and neighbour, to be the seasoning to the food of life that improves flavour for all and to be that brilliant light shining out for all.
I shrink from the demand.
It wouldn't be the first time that my ego whispers 'give up, it's not attainable, it's neither realistic nor personally desirable'. It wouldn't be the first time that i am keen to save myself and the world from the darkness of Selfishness, of fear and hate and isolation, yet when presented with a simple path to that very end that i choose the familiar, the safe and the long and winding road.
I shrink from the gift.
There is however, strength in numbers. A church, a community, can stand together, yet it seems that the group, like the herd, chooses the lowest common denominator. Choose more. Choose goodness. Choose eternal life, we are asked as individuals. Choose to be salt and light for humanity. How to begin? How to commit? Yet how do i stay the same and safe in my choices? I know this can't be done, however, because if i commit there is no same and there is no guarantee of safety and security: that is not what life is about, though we pretend it is our only goal. Let go and choose to be more, Jesus says, choose to be the beings we are created for being! We no longer settle for second rate spices, because tasteless salt is useless. We no longer settle for a dim existence in the shadows or groping about in darkness when we ourselves hold the light if only we choose to ignite it and shine for all the world to see.
There are times when i stumble. God grant me the faith and courage to get back up and try again, try with wisdom and compassion and to be fully committed to being the person i am meant to be, the person that the Christ knows i am and can be ... if i humble my ego and let Him guide me.
Is there a middle road?
Deo gratias.
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