Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Salt and Light?

Does the Bible not command us to be salt and light? Are we not supposed to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to make a difference in the world? The last time I checked, that was the case, but maybe I am wrong. I am not sure what some people read when they open Matthew 5:13-16, but I look at it and here is what I see in the latter part of those verses...
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify youth Father in Heaven."

Okay so maybe I am crazy, but those verses to me say that first I need to do my best to live my life above reproach, and then do whatever necessary through whatever means are provided to take the message of the gospel to a lost and dying world. Right? Am I off on this one? Evidently according to some people I am, here is the situation...I finally after much thinking and praying signed up for a myspace account. Most of you may be saying big deal, but obviously it has been getting a lot of flack recently about stuff that is online. I know this to be true, that is why I was so hesitant to sign up. However, I have found that teens will actually speak their mind there, open up about stuff they won't say in person and for once they take their masks off, because unfortunately we all still wear masks even at church (I'll be the first to admit it, I hate it, but sometimes as a pastor I have to wear a mask in order to keep my job...We can't be real).

So here is why I myspace....1. It allows me to keep in touch with my teens-it works as well if not better than a phone call. 2. It allows me to let them know of events coming up. 3. It helps me see what they are really thinking, and opens a door in a non-threatening way. 4. It may be a place where someone who sees me as a "friend" begins to ask some spiritual questions (I mention this because someone was upset that my pic was on a top 8 list next to a kid with a foul display name-I hate this, but I can't control where this kid puts my name. Obviously to him I am somewhat important, and imagine if someone looking comes along and sees my profile in the midst of the other stuff and clicks on it and then maybe starts asking spiritual questions. 5. It is out there, it is popular,and it can be used as a way of spreading light just as much as it can be used to spread darkness.

So I am going to continue to have a myspace...It has allowed me to be encouraged by former teens as well as catch up with people from my ministry since the beginning. It may not be the best avenue of spreading the gospel, but it is one more way to live out Matthew 5:14 in my book. Maybe I am wrong, what do you think?

-Matt

1 comment:

Robin said...

I totally agree. You're bringing light into a dark place. Rather than cursing the culture, we must seek to redeem the culture. Good for you!