Corrie ten Boom
"My sister, Betsy, and I were in the
Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck because we committed the crime of loving
Jews. Seven hundred of us from Holland, France, Russia, Poland and Belgium were
herded into a room built for two hundred. As far as I knew, Betsy and I were
the only two representatives of Heaven in that room.
We may have been the Lord’s only representatives in that place of hatred, yet because of our presence there, things changed."
In Matthew 5:13 Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. Then, in verse 14 of the same chapter of Matthew, He said that we are the light of the world.
In other words, we are to have a presence! We are salt and light. We preserve, we support, and we lead. We are to be a blessing to the world, though they don't realize our calling and purpose! Life can't be sustained without salt. How then, will they know, except you are salty and live as salt on this earth! You are the answer to someone's problem. You are the light which shines on a path of redemption and hope for them. You are valuable!!
Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse says:
The doctrine of the gospel is as salt; it is penetrating, quick, and powerful (Heb. 4:12);
it reaches the heart Acts 2:37. It is cleansing, it is relishing, and preserves from putrefaction.
“A Peanuts cartoon, showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. She said, "Guess what, Chuck. The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck." He said, "My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?" She said, "You’re my friend, aren’t you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me."
Peppermint Patty was seeking to pass the buck but she was probably right. We should be a good influence on our friends. We are salt and light! Jesus said so!
I'm reminded of the song (Christ Ambassadors) we started each youth service with when I was a teen ... way back w h e n .... We sang with gusto that we were Christ's Ambassadors since that was also the name of our youth group. Perhaps we should sing that old song once more ... for we are still ambassadors for Christ. We are representatives from Heaven to this dying world.
Your presence is vital to those searching for meaning in life. Remember you are salt and you are light. You can change unpleasant surroundings by just walking in the room. Light is sweet to those who are sitting in darkness. You are vital to the purpose of the Kingdom.
Remember Corrie ten Boom's words:
We may have been the Lord’s only representatives in that place of hatred, yet because of our presence there, things changed.
Maybe you would like to sing along with me:
We are Christ Ambassadors
And our colors we must unfurl.
We must wear a spotless robe,
clean and righteous before the world.
We must show we're cleansed from sin and that Jesus lives within.
Proving duly that we're truly.
Christ Ambassadors.
....
