Shedding Some Light

"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." 
                                                                                     ~Matthew 5:13-16


     I find it inexplicable why it is socially unacceptable to speak to others about faith, in the workplace for example, even when you and the other person both know that you share the same faith.  There could be a room full of people of the same faith, and if one member of the group says anything about God, a feeling of taboo permeates the air.  
     I am not referring to Christians trying to evangelize to nonbelievers in public. I am writing specifically about the idea that the "political correctness" of today has gone so far, that you and I cannot have a discussion about a biblical theme that intrigues us because it might offend someone who isn't even part of our conversation.  It seems to me no different than banning baseball conversations between two Red Sox fans because they may offend a Yankees fan!
     Then again, this is actually not a new phenomenon.  The same has been true for 2000 years.  Jesus cautions us not to fall away when trouble or persecution comes because of the word (Matthew 13:21).  Paul challenges us to have courage (Romans 8:31-39).  The fear brought upon by "political correctness" should not separate us from our faith.  It is God who justifies, not society.  The writer of Hebrews (10:32-35) encourages us to not throw away our confidence even when we are publicly exposed to insult.  These are just a few of the passages I encountered when I sought relief and encouragement on this issue.  There are certainly hundreds of other examples throughout the Scriptures, where individuals were persecuted.  We should take comfort in letting our light shine before others and not letting secular societal norms hide our faith, our words, or our good deeds.
     

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

      As one of the most revealing blocks of scripture, The Sermon on the Mount begins by telling us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5).  Furthermore, it states that the meek will inherit the earth.  What is it that motivates the poor in spirit?  What does it take to be meek?  Both refer to being humble and patient in a world in which pride, blame, and instant gratification are the norm.  Being poor in spirit is motivated by the intrinsic joy and satisfaction of bringing the Kingdom of God to others.  It is fueled by the desire to love our neighbors, including our enemies, as we love ourselves.  It requires great personal sacrifice in the face of adversity and persecution.  On the other hand, pride and boastfulness are motivated by extrinsic factors such as the desire for superiority, the pressures to fit in, as well as material rewards.