Today, Father, may this be my heartfelt prayer. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. Psalm 42:1
Mark 9:50 (<<click to read the passage)
Quite often I see deer as I travel – this morning on my route I think I saw eight of them. They are beautiful creatures but as many of us have experienced, vehicles and deer do not mix. Also, deer are usually flighty. The deer in our part of the world are called white-tailed deer because when they are startled they run away and their tails stick up showing the white fur underneath.
One thing I’ve noticed is that unless they are in an open field, you don’t usually see them for very long. Three of the eight this morning were alone and crossed the road or veered of into wooded growth in front of me. I saw them long enough to realize they were there and then they were gone. I glanced where one had crossed over and there was absolutely no sign of her anywhere.
They may be beautiful to see but I do not want to emulate them in the way I live my life in Christ before others.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be a light – not one-beam wonders! If others just see Christ in us in fleeting glances, what good is it? Jesus calls us to be the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).
If someone passes the salt before your eyes but then quickly stows it away, how does it benefit anyone?
If we are seeking to live out Jesus’ calling on our lives then we have to live it out! We can’t do so for fear of being seen…or hurt…or shot at even – figuratively and literally. The only way we will impact our world is being in our world, not hiding in the bushes!
Lord Jesus, fill us with You! Strengthen us. May we be filled to overflowing with Your love. Then, and only then, can we be the salt that seasons as it should. Amen.
May 29th, 2019, Wed, 9:57 am
