Light and Salt
As Christians, we're called to not hide our light. We're not supposed to hide the fact that we are Christians. Lately, though, I've begun to feel that the world is trying to hide it for us. More often, I find myself holding my tongue because we're not supposed to offend someone by mentioning our faith. Social organizations in New York State are trying to disallow the public display of religion, even if it's on our own property (like a Christmas nativity). I know people who find the Christian fish on cars to be overly offensive.
Really!
A young lady I know was telling me how her father is a confirmed atheist. She said she doesn't mind that, but she can't stand that he becomes very upset and disruptive when a Christian is around, or speaks their mind. I asked her what she meant. She said that he complains bitterly when they're traveling and someone has something Christian on their car. I asked her what she meant by that. She said, "Like a bumpersticker or one of those Jesus fish." This young lady is 14 years old, by the way.
God out of the pledge, God off of our money. Ok, fine. But God off of my car? God off of my property that's in public view? God off my lips?
This little light of mine needs to shine brighter, and so does yours.
Salt. I guess you could say I was a little salty today. :) I was doing some banking and the cashier gave me $100.00 more than I asked for. I didn't realize this until I got to work. So I called her up. She checked her drawer and sure enough, she was short $100.00. So I arranged to get the money back to her, and did. She was VERY thankful! I didn't consider it anything special, but I guess we just have too many dishonest people in the world.
Before you throw me up on some pedestal, I will admit that I went over my books several times hoping to be able to keep the money, that the error was on my part of the addition. But that still-small voice told me that it did not belong to me. So I checked my books one more time, and sure enough I had extra money.
I'm amazed (ok, not really amazed) by the number of people who would have kept the money. Don't they know that I'll be blessed far more for returning the money than they will with expendable, temporary $100 that doesn't belong to them? I know God will bless me financially and spiritually because I returned the money in good faith. We could have used that extra $100, but I know deep down that I'd struggle financially despite it. In returning it, my faith is in God's hands, and what better place for it to be!
Really!
A young lady I know was telling me how her father is a confirmed atheist. She said she doesn't mind that, but she can't stand that he becomes very upset and disruptive when a Christian is around, or speaks their mind. I asked her what she meant. She said that he complains bitterly when they're traveling and someone has something Christian on their car. I asked her what she meant by that. She said, "Like a bumpersticker or one of those Jesus fish." This young lady is 14 years old, by the way.
God out of the pledge, God off of our money. Ok, fine. But God off of my car? God off of my property that's in public view? God off my lips?
This little light of mine needs to shine brighter, and so does yours.
Salt. I guess you could say I was a little salty today. :) I was doing some banking and the cashier gave me $100.00 more than I asked for. I didn't realize this until I got to work. So I called her up. She checked her drawer and sure enough, she was short $100.00. So I arranged to get the money back to her, and did. She was VERY thankful! I didn't consider it anything special, but I guess we just have too many dishonest people in the world.
Before you throw me up on some pedestal, I will admit that I went over my books several times hoping to be able to keep the money, that the error was on my part of the addition. But that still-small voice told me that it did not belong to me. So I checked my books one more time, and sure enough I had extra money.
I'm amazed (ok, not really amazed) by the number of people who would have kept the money. Don't they know that I'll be blessed far more for returning the money than they will with expendable, temporary $100 that doesn't belong to them? I know God will bless me financially and spiritually because I returned the money in good faith. We could have used that extra $100, but I know deep down that I'd struggle financially despite it. In returning it, my faith is in God's hands, and what better place for it to be!
Comments
I couldn't agree with you more! It seems as if this is picking up momentum too...but I refuse to not speak of God and His goodness! What kind of Christian would I be to be silent and say nothing just because it might offend an atheist!!
This may be a touchy subject to some but I felt compelled to say something.
Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Blessings to you,
Mindy
I know as Christians we aren't persecuted in the US (at least compare to some parts of the world), but I have a feeling our days are numbered and we will go through great persecution.