BUNADOG

I think I understand the scripture passage and the question, but like so many of these lessons, I feel stifled and unhappy with the pat, Sunday School answers that spring to my mind. What is shining my light? A "fish" pinned on my lapel or stuck to my car bumper? A Jesus T-shirt. A 4 spiritual laws pamphlet left with a skimpy tip for my waitress? I think people see these superficial signs of faith and, though they make us feel brave and exposed, discount us or pigeon hole us. The commercial trappings of Christianity simply make us "glow in the dark stickers" for Jesus. We are highlighted and apart from our generation but are not really lighting the darkness. Consistently checking our actions and decisions against the Beatitudes and the Fruits of the Spirit in an obedient and unselfconscious way should attract others to our way of life. Maybe even spending LESS time with church centered activities if that means spreading saltiness and lightness in our friends without faith. I struggle to discern church "culture" from a Christ like LIFE. More often you face persecution from your church family for getting out and spreading that light. "Why wasn't Erin at choir practice the last two weeks? . . ."

I'll be honest, I like chocolate ice cream more than salad. After a few days of junk food though, I sometimes crave my veggies. I started this online bible study to keep myself from surfing celebrity gossip and snarky political blogs on my lunch hour. I hunger and thirst for hunger and thirst!!! I'm still waiting patiently and I hope faithfully for a time when I like vegetables more than ice cream on a daily basis and not just in my hour of need

My pastor said in a recent sermon series on this passage that meekness is power under control. This is also my wish for our country in the future. Might makes right and social Darwinism seems to be the philosophy of the day.