Love that transforms
This morning I read Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5, 13: “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
When I was a kid I never really understood it. What did it mean to be the salt of the earth? And how can we lose our flavor?
Jesus teaches us just before that how we should differ from the world in the beatitudes (Matthew 5, 1-12). They are instructions of how our actions are making a difference. I noticed that these are often quiet actions, mostly seen at a second glance.
I think it reflects God’s character. Jesus is humble and gentle at heart (Matthew 11,29), humility in person. His gentleness, patience and kindness are visible characteristics of his love. He sat down with people, and had compassion with them and showed them mercy. Treated even the worst sinners with respect and poured out God’s unfailing love and grace out over them (i.e. story of Zacchaeus Luke 19, 1-9). And that is the example he sets for us.
When you ask yourself, like I did, how am I “salty”? And how can I differ from people around me? Look at Jesus and look how he acted. And follow his example: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2,5) And this mindset, attitude is humility. The Cambridge Dictionary defines humility as the quality of not being proud or not thinking that you are better than other people. In a nutshell: Think less about yourself and more about others.
What are your thoughts made of?
If you think alot about yourself, for example your looks, your career, your money, your whatever comes to your mind, then I encourage you to go into a quiet place and tell God all about it. But first, think about who gives life and thank God for it. Thank him also, that he provides us with all the things we need and also blesses us in so many unseen ways. Can we gift ourselves with health? I don’t think so. Many things are out of our control. Anf if you worry about that, then trade it for faith, encouragement and peace of mind (Matthew 11, 28-30).
Who can think of others if one’s brain capacity is full of thoughts about oneself?
It is God who can help us and transform our thoughts and actions.
Maybe you start very small: For example by active listening to someone else with empathy and grace instead of secretly judging. Or you do something for someone without expecting anything in return. Those humble actions are maybe not immediately visible, but people notice eventually.
I did an internship at a French Luxury company and what stuck with me was the following: detail is key. We even learnt how to make the perfect bow, so it is easy for customers to unwrap their product. So luxury is found in the detail, in the small parts, the ones not visible at first sight. But make a difference when handled.
This is how I started and what I do for others:
Firstly I pray for people. Who is praying for my neighbors, coworkers, friends and family if not me?
Also I started to serve at church, it is a great place to serve and to show hospitality to others without expecting anything in return, just done out of love.
In my daily life I’ll try to encounter and see people as Jesus sees them. God helps me to forgive people that may have done me wrong. Thus I am able not to hold a grudge, and show mercy.
The holy spirit also makes me have compassion on others. For me this means very practical supporting less fortunate children financially. Did you notice that all these actions are mostly not visible at first sight? But they make a difference in that person’s life. In the life of the kids that I support and hopefully also in the life of the people around me. I am trying to be a peacemaker, with God’s help.
The key to transformation for me was to give all my thoughts, worries and secret wishes to God and traded it for space and peace of mind. With this newly won energy and brain capacity I can do his good work for his glory.
Nearly daily I give him my anger, frustration or resentment and let myself be equiped with love and patience by him. Even though this transformation is not visible, the fruit is, the outcome is. And that is how we are salty. That is how the light of Jesus shines through us to be looked upon for orientation. It is God who equipes us, the gentlemen he is. Knowing that detail is key. So let us focus on him and let the love of God transform us and give us ideas what little actions can make a giant difference in the lifes of people around us.