LIGHT & SALT: Shine or Spoil?
1 Kings 17:7-16; Ps 4; Matt 5:13-16
Church, let’s be honest. This is a hard season to glow. Many things want to dim our light. Bills are shouting, fraud and manipulation everywhere, bad news is loud while kidnapping and terrorism is ravaging our land. Fizzling out feels easier than standing out.
But Jesus did not call us to hide. He called us to stand out! Why do we hide? Fear or hypocrisy?
Ancient light was oil and flame. It was expensive, risky and yet burned. Salt was currency, it preserved, stung and it was worth fighting for. So when Jesus says “You are light and salt,” He’s saying:
You are expensive. You are dangerous to sin. Don’t act cheap. If we don’t shine, who will?
Shine even when your jar is empty. Look at the widow of Zarephath. 1 Kings 17:7-16 . The Widow, famine and “last meal” was enough recipe for despair.
God sends Elijah. She had every excuse to say “No.” Instead she gave her last flour, and got a lifetime supply.
Beloved, your economy doesn’t define your assignment. Hardship is not an excuse for hardness of heart. You are still light in blackout. You are still salt when everything tastes bitter.
You are who you are in famine and in plenty. Don’t let hardship edit your identity.
LET US PRAY
Father, forgive us for hiding. Jesus, don’t let our flame go out on your watch. Holy Spirit, make us uncomfortably bright, unapologetically salty, right here in this tension. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
