Hungry

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors 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-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

I went to a leadership conference this past week, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it!  Typically, you will find conferences like this where you are drawn in by some names that attract you, and when you go, there are some speakers you enjoy and others that you say, “Well, that was interesting,” realizing that their content did not yield valuable information or takeaways.  This year’s conference was the first time where I felt all speakers gave me valued content.  Each person brought me either knowledge or moved me heart both spiritually and personally.  One of the headliners who delivered all the above was John Maxwell. 

If you are unfamiliar with him, he is a well know business leader who has educated or trained tens of thousands of leaders around the world.  The thing that I did not know was where he started.  He was a senior pastor of a church in San Diego, CA.  His talk was about not only leading but also living a life that builds a legacy for others to follow.  He quoted Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) specifically. He indicated this was what the picture of your legacy should look like today.  He then challenged the audience with a phrase that really hit home.  He said, “You’re supposed to make people hungry.  Not angry.”  If we are truly followers of Christ, our words and sharing the Gospel should bring peace, comfort, and love and not conflict, despair, and hatred.

I want to talk about how we are called to be lights for the world.  We of course reference to Jesus Christ as the light of the world. We strongly support this statement.  Over the years, a growing favorite scripture of mine has always been Matthew 5:13-16 because it challenges me as a Christian to always get better because my life should closely resemble Christ.  As a personal representative of His, this is nonnegotiable.  It does not mean I will not fail because that is what spiritual growth is about.  It means to get better.  Having said that, this should not be a mission exclusive to me although that and God is who I am accountable for.  We are all accountable to God, and this is where both Jesus’ teaching and John Maxwell’s statement hit the mark.  If our message of Jesus offends others, it means we must get better.  We should ask ourselves tough questions rather than dismiss others as not being receptive to God’s message.  Were our words not matching our actions?  Did we simply tell or actually show them who Jesus was in our interactions?  Did we come from a place of judgment that looks to be right or a place of humility and selflessness that seeks righteousness?  If this sounds like a lot, it is.  However, Jesus took our sins to the cross.  Compared to that, the weight we must carry pales in comparison, and yet even then, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV)

To be a follower of Christ is for the courageous and not the faint at heart.  It is tiresome, sometimes thankless, and even at times unrewarding.  However, we are to remember the work we do is not about us.  It is always about God purpose, and when done well, our spirit will feel a level of satisfaction that will experience His presence knowing the work we have done earned the title of ‘thy faithful servant.’  Furthermore, we will ‘salt the earth’ seeking His love and fulfilling His will for our lives above all. When Martin Luther King Jr. said in his final speech, “I just want to do God’s will,” he was expressing a desire to follow God’s purpose for his life.  Not glory or fame, but an unshakeable belief in what God’s plan for him was.  Let us embrace the opportunity to create a legacy that pleases God above all else.  How can you be "salt-seasoning" in your daily life to bring out the "God-flavors" of the earth?  How do you handle situations where your message of Jesus offends others? What steps can you take to be better and more receptive to others' perspectives?  My prayer is we are God’s instrument make others hungry for His message.  Amen.