October 15, 2005
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SALT and LIGHT
For the last 10 or 11 years, I’ve spent from a week to a couple months a year working in short-term missions. It’s been wonderful; I’ve made new friends, learned a new language, and been so internally affirmed about the value of what is done there, that I feel strongly compelled to continue.
I’ve helped to build homes for people who had little or no ability to provide adequate shelter for themselves or their families. I’ve helped give medical care to men, women, and children who would not have received it otherwise. I’ve taught about God and Jesus to people who may or, in some cases, may not have had the opportunity to receive those truths.
All that notwithstanding, I’ve felt like I wanted to do more to be “salt and light” to the world 24/7/365, as it were. I, like many believers, haven’t always been sure exactly how to “go into all the world“, reaching all people(s). I’ve felt keenly the desire to let others learn about how good, how accessible He is, “ready to give good things to those who ask.”
I have needed to work a job to keep body and soul together , so time availability has seemed to be a limiting factor. I haven’t felt the boldness to be a Billy Graham, or a DL Moody, who was allegedly so compelled to approach people about Christ, as was his habit, that he is purported to have followed an 8 year-old girl he recognized on the street, into her home and talked to her about God, resulting in the conversion of her , her family and subsequent generations of descendants.
God has, however, equipped me with a deep care for others, and I have understood that the mission field is where I am. (Jesus said to the disciples “LOOK ABOUT YOU…the fields are fully ripe and ready for harvest“.)
I began to find ways to do small things in my daily life to stretch myself, and help others have a sense of God’s presence and to, again, “be salt and light.” What has been really gratifying to see is the incredible response of others to unexpected kindness. A smile begets a smile, people surprised by a “good morning” from a stranger, respond in kind. Some are wary…tempered, I’m sure, by the harsh realities of the world in which we live, but I have seen most almost visibly brighten with the tiniest hint of kindness and caring .
In reaching out, it has helped me to be mindful of Christ’s words,
“Whenever you did it to the least of these…, you did it to Me“
Try some of these as “envelope-stretchers” for ways to reach out people you encounter in daily life, and to be the “hands of Christ” to them.
1. Smile at somebody (sincerely) as you see them walking toward you. (You don’t have to know them)
You can also say, ” Hi”, “good morning/day/evening”, and/or…
2. Ask that person how they’re doing. (And mean it…be ready to listen)
3. If you’re going for (coffee, water, fill in the blank) at work, or wherever, offer to get something for someone else…or, if you know them well enough..just bring it.
4. Offer something cold to drink to someone who could use it.( Mail carrier, trash pickup person, highway or construction worker…you find them)
5. Offer something hot to drink to someone……..(see#4)
6. Sincerely compliment someone around you..(this one’s easy; get in the habit of noticing small things about appearance, things unique that the “praise target” does)
7. Offer your place in line at the bank, store, etc., to someone who…seems to be in a rush, seems stressed, has a bigger burden, has “velcro kid syndrome”, or just “because”.
8. Pay the difference (if you can) when you notice someone coming up a little short in the checkout.
9. Pray for the person ahead of you in line who; is fumbling around for their payment, insists on groping for exact change, is holding up the line arguing about a price….etc.
10. Say “Hi” to the cashiers, tellers, busdrivers and others who serve you in their jobs; ask them how their day is going..be prepared to listen…thank them for what they do.
11. Put a reassuring hand on the shoulder (being sensitive to receptiveness, and “appropriate touch” principles) of someone who needs it.
12. Give a card or note for a birthday, achievement, wedding, funeral…you can figure it out.
13. Any of the above can be applied, as appropriate, to family members.
Be open to verbally offering God’s blessings to (these) others, if and when appropriate, if, when, and in the manner with which you feel , comfortable.
Be ready for queries as to why you might do these things:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
(1 Peter 3:15b)
May our God and Lord bless you all as you bless others
Jim
Comments (13)
I like this list. Thank you for sharing.
Good thoughts. Always look forward to your posts.
Not only do I think that you offer some excellent ideas: that is, offer what truly is the secret to happiness to those of us who can so easily forget, but I think that here on Xanga you practice what you preach. Your comments, whether on my site or on others, always come across as inspiring, warm, friendly, spontaneous, and so often amount to a welcome spark in a stressful world. If you like, they are Internet smiles.
(By the way, I like the new look.)
Good encouragement Jim. It seems that it IS more blessed to give than to receive. And I’ve found, when I show kindness to a stranger something happens that I cannot describe, but it seems a little happiness spark lights up in my soul. Here’s another fun thought,
Hebrews 13:1,2 “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
That reminds me…I can’t remember who said it. Where ever you are, be there. Yes, I really do want to go back to Haiti, and someday when Gabby is a bit older, I’m sure that I will. But for the now, I can be a missionary right now to someone as close as my next door neighboor. I can serve him right where I’m at. Thanks for the reminder.
Very nice! This is almost like playing tag…I know one or more weird and random things about you from this post.
I like the new, autumn color scheme, too.
deborah
Good post. You are right that we need to study to be approved, but also the Holy Spirit does give us the right words. I am chuckling at your list of things, some of which I do without thinking about it, but one pastor came to our church and said he would go into Walmart and push a shopping cart around until he found an empty aisle, he would go into that aisle and shout “Jesus” at the top of his lungs, then push his cart out and start interacting with people who were commenting on the person who shouted Jesus. I don’t have the guts for that one. But the other one that made me chuckle was Arthur Blessit on tv once said that when a telemarketer would call he would tell them he would listen to them as long as they gave him the same amount of time, and of course the subject was Jesus.
Have a blessed day.
Heather
RYC: Thank you
I can always count on you not only for uplifting posts – help in time of need – but kind and uplifting comments as well 
He who cares for the caregiver, so to speak. 
RYC: « Merci bien, mon ami. »
Jim: You asked about my Marine Son and how I am doing. Thanks for asking. It seems my son is very busy in Iraq. He phones when he can, and when he does, he seems to be doing well. I chalk it up to 2 reasons. First, our son came to the conclusion, right away in Iraq, that God is with him and he will need to look to Him and lean on Him through his time there. Secondly, I see his Marine training coming out, as he is prepared with what to do and how to respond.
As for me~ I see growth in adjustment. I went through a process this last year much like grieving. Josiah enlisted a year ago next month. I went in to denial at first, and actually ended up trying to fill my son’s empty space with people. When he got his orders for Iraq it was like a wake up call. I repented of looking to people, turned to the Lord with the empty space and sought Him to fill it. This all sounds real neat as I write it, but it was actually messy and painful. But the Lord is forgiving and faithful, and He goes on with us, taking our problems and turning them into blessings. The whole situation has caused me to grow in my faith, and to learn some hard lessons. I have much peace and a broader sense of the ministry of our Lord on earth. Josiah is getting great opportunities to explore Christianity, he is spending some time with a Muslim and they are comparing their faiths. He also spends a great deal of time with two Marines in particular, one is very knowledgable and questions Josiah about Christianity. Again, thanks for asking.
As for the game Fishtree mentioned, Mafia, it is pretty popular here. Fishtree played it for the first time in our home a few weeks ago. My husband and I have a group of friends from church that we love to have for dinner and play a game with. Fishtree is one of those people. Most of the time we play Balder Dash, but the last time we got together we played Mafia.
Not heard of Mafia before, huh? Well, don’t feel alone. I never had either, but do see http://www.princeton.edu/~mafia/rules.htm.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s glad that your taking the time to help the world. Keep going
(So I can keep living morally through you.)
RYC: Can you see my pearly whites? No? Well, it sure isn’t because they’re not showing. (Actually, “pearly white” is a bit of a misgnomer; “partly white, partly coffee stained, and largely missing”–while perhaps providing too much information–is nonetheless the more apt desccriptor.)