Verse:
“But Paul wouldn't budge: "Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me? You're looking at this backwards. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?”
Thought:
Just recently something profound happened in this sleepy little town of Jewett, TX. A trip which
was supposed to filled with excitement ended up being filled with chaos. As a result, much has been
made and sides have been taken due to the Sr. Trip which took some students to, among other places,
a Restaurant in San Antonio called Dick’s Last Resort. This trip and subsequent decisions have
resulted in the loss of jobs and loss of trust. There are parents and community member who are
upset. Attention has been given to the leadership within the district and the school and the
parents of the children involved. It is, however, my hope that in the midst of all that has
taken place and all that will happen, the students who were hurt or offended during this trip are
not overlooked. I am not speaking of resignations or fault, but in terms of honor, courage and
character.
Hear the Good News, "[We’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." The problem is that today, we have substituted morality and
character for personal choice and preference. Not quite the salt we are called to be. We are called
to place what we know to be right over the convenient. This is the seasoning we are called to be.
Last week one student, at what was described as an obscene restaurant, tried and some others
followed. Why should I even try to be the seasoning for the world God wants? Because others
taste it. In reality, when you live as you are supposed to live, others will follow. This does
not necessarily happen each time, but it will leave a mark, it will leave a memory. The
ingredient label of our life is not hidden, nor does it include a "secret recipe" statement. We
are to be salt for the world, offering a seasoned taste of Christ everywhere we go, flavoring
everything we do. We should all try to be faithful to what we know is right, salt.
If only we could find those things in our life that we were passionate about and committed to
and have them also be of high character, what a place this would be. But as a favorite writer
of mine (O. Chambers) writes, "If I am devoted solely to the cause of [human want], I will soon
be exhausted and come to the point where my love will waver and stumble. But if I love Jesus
Christ personally and passionately, I can serve [human need], even though people may treat me
like a doormat. The secret of a disciple’s life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the
characteristic of that life is its seeming insignificance and its meekness." Why should I even
try? Because "it is like a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies it will spring up and change the entire
landscape (John 12:24)." This is why we should try!
Prayer:
Gracious God, You have brought flavor into my life. Thank You. Draw me to strength and courage to be the seasoning of the world you call me to be. Give me direction and honor to live right. Help me to not only follow you, but lead others. Thank You for all You have done and all You continue to do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Grace & Peace
David Banks
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