Bishop Schnase, the man largely responsible for helping us to refine our focus on Christian discipleship,keeps a blog on the Methodist Way. If you were to visit his blog you would not find the words, “Salty Service.” Rather, he refers to it as Risk-Taking Mission and Service and believes that “The personal practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service involves offering ourselves in purposeful service to others in need, making a positive difference even at significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. We offer ourselves, our gifts and abilities and passions, to God so God can use us to transform the world by relieving suffering. We serve.”
Salty service is about taking risks. It is about making a difference in the lives of others, not counting the personal cost for our own lives. It is about us serving others and being the salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth. We are to be a portal by which other people can experience God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We are to be the conduit by which other people see God.
I know that may seem like a huge undertaking. But instead of looking at it as a task or undertaking, I invite you to look at it as a privilege. You have been asked by God, to be God’s representative. God trusts you implicitly to say the right words, have the right attitude, and be a truly wonderful ambassador for the Kingdom of God. You have been chosen, you have been selected, you have been created just for this task. Doesn’t that make you feel special? Not only have you been chosen, but you have been blessed and equipped with all the tools you will need to carry out this privilege. You have been given, by the power of the Holy Spirit, everything you will need to be a salty servant.
I do not want you to allow fear to keep you from sharing with others, everything God has given you. I do not want you gloss over the gifts you have been given and think they are unworthy or lack importance. Each of you are special, each of you are blessed. Each of you can be that salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth.
On Sunday I offered everyone the chance to place a salty service card in an offering plate, if they had forgotten to do so earlier in the service. Currently we average 17 cards a week. This past week we collected 45!
I know you engage in Salty Service. I see it! I want us to continue to build upon our service culture and place those cards in the offering plate each week. Not just so some number can increase, but so all can see we are serious about being the salt of the Earth. I want this aspect of our congregational faith walk to be central and paramount in our lives. I want us to always look for ways bring out God’s presence in this life.
Each of you are God’s light, a light that should not be hidden, but that should shine for all the world to see God in you. So be that light in this world as we all work together build God’s Kingdom today.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
No comments:
Post a Comment