Salt, Mined.

Today we continue our reflection on Matthew 5:13.

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Martha asked a question (paraphrased here): Are we using the salt we've been given?

Our pastor reminded us of the ministry of Jesus. After His water baptism, He spent 40 days in the wilderness as ministry preparation. Then, He returned into mainstream society with a three-fold ministry focus: teaching, preaching, and healing. That is our example. That is the model we follow. That is our salt.

Pastor Martha also shared that we cannot just remain seated. We are called to go out and proclaim.

There is an old saying in Christendom: You are the only Bible some people will ever read. In a postmodern age where religion is viewed as "take-it-when-I-please-leave-it-when-I-please", we are called to demonstrate consistent, authentic identification with Christ Jesus and the word He has given to us.

In resisting the temptation to respond with lines like "I'm not a pastor, therefore I don't have to teach", a look through the book of Acts will buoy us with the examples of several men and women who, unordained, followed Jesus's three-fold ministry focus. The Holy Spirit is present to empower and instruct the people of God, and it is He who leads us to action: not according to our personal whims, but according to His Divine agenda.

Lord, place us at the center of Your Divine agenda for today. We are present and attentive; we await Your guidance. We crave the empowerment of Your Spirit, so that the world will benefit from our expressions of Your love.