This past week our discussion centered around being salt and light to a dark world. Both are very familiar pictures from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and yet there are still layers to be understand. With today's racial tensions and chaos, our world is filled with uncertainty. That's what we continue to hear. Yet one thing shall remain certain -- the goodness and faithfulness of our God and His gospel. With the Spirit of God in our hearts, we are commanded to be both salt and light to a dying, dark, and decaying world.
And this is what we can learn from Joseph. His story spans the second half of the book of Genesis. Though lengthy, every part has God's Hand written all over it, as well as that of a faithful servant.
He was salt and light in Potiphar's house.
He was salt and light in the pit of despair/ prison.
He was salt and light when he interpreted the dreams of the baker and cupbearer.
He was still light, when he was forgotten.
He continued to be salt and light when before Pharaoh, interpreting his dreams, and filling the storehouses.
I'm still comprehending the implications of Joseph's life and the way his life has challenged me. But for now, I want to say this: In order to be salt and light to a dark and decaying world, we must build relationships. Everywhere Joseph was taken, though rarely an ideal situation, Joseph valued the person. He worked hard to take care of Potiphar's family. He valued the baker and cupbearer enough to listen to them and not brush them off. I mean, seriously, I get brushed off all the time when I have bad dreams! He was not fearful of the Pharaoh, but he was logical, thoughtful and respectful. How much more effective can we be as salt and light in this world -- shining a light on the gospel -- if we were to take time to build genuine relationships with others?!?! I'm not talking about our friends who we see or talk to on a regular basis. But rather, I'm talking about those people we might see in our workplaces; our neighborhoods; the post office; and the grocery store. Joseph valued the person because he undeniably knew He was valued by a Loving God.
When we know who God is and who we are, we can then effectively point others to Him.
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