SEASON AND SHINE - February 19th POST

Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)
You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

How robust is your seasoning today? 
Are you salty? 
Or just “salty”. You get what I am saying right? 
We are used to seeing this passage refer to us being the salt of the earth.
But I have to admit, I am kind of digging that seasoning reference.
It led me to this little quote from Nazarian,

“Neither sugar nor salt tastes particularly good by itself. Each is at its best when used to season other things. Love is the same way.
Use it to "season" people.”

So would it be easier if I said how is your “love” today? 
Are you planning to make the world more "tolerable" with your love or are you more inclined to decline your chance to “season your surroundings?”

But Jesus clearly wanted to get His point home about the importance of our influence, of "sharing our seasoning", because He keeps flinging more metaphors.

Not only are we to be seasoning we are to be LIGHT!
"Seasoning and shining", that is our job!

Late last night I was sharing a little talk about the opiate epidemic and the role of the church with a dear group, a combined and collaborative congregation of "seasoners and shiners".

In the room were some folks desperate to make a difference in Columbus. Across each pew were folks who were not fearful of being liberal with their seasoning, folks who were not about to remain in the shadows.

Shiloh Christian Center and the “church” in it take this passage VERY seriously. 
They wanted to know what they were “up against” with this horrible heroin proliferation they wanted to know what to pray for, where to start "shining", and where to "season".

I love being able to share with such a “ready” group. And I believe this little band of brothers and sisters armed with prayer, worship and the Word are going to “make their world” more tolerable, more "lit" if you will.

So the question for us today is this:
Are we willing to do the same in our sphere of influence today?
To “season and shine”?

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson

And when we shine, when we “liberate” others to do the same, change happens. When love, that greatest of “seasoning” is shaken and shared the world does become more tolerable and tolerant. Light does begin to overwhelm the darkness, hope intrudes and GOD is GLORIFIED!
…when you love, God’s light shines upon you. ― Jon Krakauer

So my friends, the message is clear! 
Let's "season and shine"!

I love you all!
Have a blessed weekend!
Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)