Shine the Light of Trust as you Walk Around the Block

Do you find it easy to trust? Do you need to be friends with someone before you trust them? Or, are there stages of trust. There are most likely as many differing responses to these questions as there are situations where trust was born or broken.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 

In recent years, I have found it easier to trust people and share some of my life with them. There are some people who seem naturally to be trustworthy. There is a chemistry when we meet and it doesn't take long before there is a feeling like we have been friends for a while. Comfort is in their words and conversation is easy.

Those of you who know me have heard this part of my story. How there was a time I didn't have any friends and I didn't want any.  That was much of my life. Then, someone I trusted, (a few someone's actually), introduced me to Jesus and He became a reason for mto go on. And over time, I started to crave meaningful relationships.

Remembering my past, from where I came, is helpful now as I want to help someone else find that special relationship with Jesus. The thing is, it will begin with a relationship with me.  Sounds like bait and switch doesn't it? But in the best way possible.

The trick is for me to keep my eyes open to anyone God may be placing right in front of me. That someone who doesn't know it yet, but just might become a real friend. Then with prayer and my trust in the Holy Spirit, we will move around that Discipleship Block one step at a time.

Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13-16

My dog, Asa, and I were walking one of our routes today and I found trash strewn on the road.  It seemed like someone had deliberately thrown it out of their car window.  There was a pizza box, a Subway wrapper, Dairy Queen Cups and a Wal-Mart plastic bag.  I was appalled that someone would dare mar this beautiful country side with their garbage.  So, on the return trek, I picked up the Wal-Mart bag and proceeded to gather up the offending debris, returning the roadway to its original pristine state.

As I was reviewing the scripture for today's devotional I thought about this experience today.  At first I was disgusted with the behavior of people, the total lack of respect for others and for nature.  Then I tried to justify their actions but couldn't.  Finally I realized it was up to me to do something about it.  Finding a common thread from the trash to the lesson today may seem a stretch to some reading this, but it was obvious to me.

 "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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

As a Christian, I am to be the salt of the earth.  As a disciple of Jesus I am to be a preservative in this world, not conforming to worldly behavior.  It is not up to me to condemn the actions of the litterer; it is up to me to do the next right thing--pick up the trash and pray for the offenders.  When I practice being salt and light when no one sees me, perhaps practice will make perfect and my actions will reflect my heart when others might notice.

Read the Matthew 5:13-16 text here.  Listen to an audio recording of Matthew 5:13-16 here.