Tuesday, August 27, 2013

#12 - why could we all use a pinch?

Colossians 4:5-6
 
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
  
Do you make the most of the times you interact with outsiders? Are you nice to people? Do people like being around you? Many people enjoyed being around Jesus which is saying something considering some of the difficult things Jesus often said. They invited Him to their weddings.  They asked Him over for dinner. Is there an unbeliever anywhere that would call you 'friend', that would invite you to the most important events in their lives, that would want to spend time with you eating and talking?
 
The verse above assumes that when we act wisely toward outsiders, we end up being invited into their lives.  It also assumes that you have not compromised your faith and faithfulness in order to be invited.  I know this because the text urges you to know how to "answer each person." If you are a flashlight hanging out in the dark, people will eventually ask questions. 
 
"So, what's the deal with you shining your light all the time?"
"Don't you ever just want to turn off and be dark like the rest of us?" 
"Where do you get the power and energy to light up like that?" 
"If I wanted to light up, what would I have to do?"
 
You should have outsiders asking you about your faith because you live a life of faith AND you are often around people who don't know what it's like to live that way themselves.
 
God, help Candeo to develop a reputation among the Cedar Valley residents as a place fueled by grace and graciousness, faith and faithfulness because it is true.  May we not be thought of as something that we aren't. May we intentionally think about what we say and what we do and with whom we say and do these things.  Help outsiders to get a taste of Who You are. May they see that You are good and that You are God and give themselves entirely to feasting on You forever. Amen.