What’s the point of being human if we’re not interested in participating with humanity? We’re part of this world, aren’t we?! Can we honestly turn a blind eye to the woes of the world around us, ignoring the mess and walking obliviously along our journey of faith?
I think we can find much in the Bible that would encourage our involvement in the world around us. Although not everyone is able to participate vocationally in the public square, most of us spend plenty of time in the public eye and will no doubt have impact on those with whom we come in contact. The question becomes, then, what type of impact will we have? I have read enough posts on Facebook and Twitter to draw the conclusion that many Christians truly believe their greatest impact will be found in the vacuum of the interwebs. They postulate that their opinions –for the sake of opinion, it would seem– have relevance because we live in a culture dominated by opinions . . . . may the loudest opinion win!
But Christianity isn’t about opinions, loud or otherwise. We’re called to action and influence for the greater good of our world. Yes, we’re commissioned to proclaim the saving grace of our Lord Jesus, but we’re also designed to represent the Greater Kingdom yet to come. Christians are “little Christs,” even as Jesus made visible the invisible God by His incarnation, so also we make visible an invisible Christ to our world so they might believe in Him; we are little incarnations of the greater Incarnate Son of God. Put differently, we are Jesus to our world: loving, sacrificing, manifesting, embodying, reaching out, building up, defending against, holding fast.
PS: This activity is not the special agenda of any one political party, nor is it so easily conveyed in a diatribe of opinion on your favorite social media platform.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)
So what are you good for? If you’re tasteless salt, you’re good for nothing, and light that is truly light by definition must be seen. Get out there and git r done! Get your hands dirty and your feet wet! Bring the solution, not an opinion. Let’s be people who bring value to our communities and show-out Christ by the good we accomplish in society. When we do, others may take notice and even glorify our God.
Glorify. Train. Engage. 