Friday Fight 189: Passionate or Passive?

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF189.

We all go through spans when our lives seem to flip upside down unexpectedly. It could be a sudden job loss, a significant financial setback, or a serious health diagnosis. Whatever the case, our thoughts are either strengthened by our relationship with God or hindered by the doubts that creep in as we attempt to steady ourselves. Too often, people reference life getting "back to normal," but is that honestly a realistic goal? As Christians, are we waiting for the periods of darkness to dissipate, or are we learning to put a stride back in our steps as God intended? What happens to our kingdom mindset in these times of darkness, and what truth can we cling to until then?

Passionate or Passive?

For some, the best thing about church is people, while for others, the worst thing about church is people. Christians are encouraged to love God and people, but this is easier said than done. Part of this is a specific invitation from Christ to be the salt of the earth. In simpler terms, this means we are called to bring out the best in others and to help preserve their well-being. Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Doctors always suggest restricting our salt intake, but as Christians, we should increase our outpouring of salt. Americans know too well that salt enhances food's flavor and preserves meat by helping to prevent its decay. Being Christ's followers, we are expected to do the same thing with darkness to help prevent it from decaying souls. Easier said than done, right?

Being asked to enhance the lives of others continually is easy when times are good and people get along, and each day continuously flows problem-free. But most of the time, it's unrealistic and feels like a Hallmark movie. We have all been hurt, insulted, or have offended others, directly or indirectly. During these times, we may care very little about enhancing the lives of others; if we are honest, with some, we may even consider adding some pepper! Many of us carry pain and resentment, and the thought of helping others is exhausting. In these situations, we can ask ourselves if we are passionate about following Christ or if we have become passive in accepting His invitation until our darker season changes. We could be enhancing with the wrong flavor, demonstrating how hurt people hurt people.

In being salt, we can become an enhancement by bringing God's joy and mercy to others, regardless of our seasonal depression or spiritual fatigue. God used an emergency dental trip to remind me of the other property of salt, a healing agent when mixed with water. As those around us endure struggles and pain with no awareness of the love of Christ, as His followers, we are invited to be part of the healing process in others rather than deterring it. As Christians, we can't snap our fingers and fix people; we bring our pain to the Lord and then speak to Him in prayer for the pain in others.

Are we passionate followers, actively seeking to fill our days with the truth of God, or are we passive yet to fully commit ourselves to pursuing Him in all things? As Christians, we are not called to be passive observers of our faith but to be actively engaged in it. Without attempting to be the ongoing salt of the earth, we risk becoming like others, and instead of being part of their healing, we end up adding insult to injury. We are called to be kingdom-minded and kingdom-driven people, actively seeking to enrich the lives of those around us. This week, and those following, is the perfect time to love as God intends and to give thanks for the opportunity to be used for his glory!

Pastor Shannon

NEWLIFE Church