Salt of the earth

"You are the salt of the earth... you are the light of the world.”  Matthew 5:13a;14a  NRSV

            In the midst of disease, these words of Jesus sound different than they do in the midst of health.  When I was healthy I heard these as a challenge; a calling to use the gifts I have and not waste them.  Hearing these while flat on my back with POTS, I hear these words as gentle, sweet reminders that God sees value within me even when I have a hard time doing so.

            Times of illness and reduced activity give the precious gift of sorting out the things that matter from the things that just take up time.  Have you said or heard someone say, “I just don’t have the energy for that?” Sometimes “that” was an important family event or occasion that we want to be at, but more often, “that” is something that is extraneous…something we would have done before, but may not matter now.  Illness is a rare distilling time for the soul, and Jesus’ words bring us to the heart of what is important within us—the heart of who God has made us to be.

            What is it within you that God has given you that makes you salt and light for others?  Is it your humor, or your persistence; your wisdom or your kindness?  What is it about you that makes a difference for others? What is it that the illness cannot take away from who you are?

            Today think about what makes you salty and bright, and let it shine and season those whom you meet today.

Dear God, Help me to remember the value I have in your eyes, and help me share my gifts with others, even in small ways today.  Amen.

Endurance

  James 1:3

            “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

            I have a very good friend who recently participated in an Ironman competition.  He freely speaks with wonder at how his body has changed. He is able to endure things now that he never could have imagined.  It may seem an odd comparison, but I believe those of us with chronic illness or pain may be able to relate to my friend’s wonder…not at how much our body can do, but how much we’ve been through, and how much we’ve endured that we never could have imagined. 

            When our physical health is tested, so is our faith.  How did I get here? Why am I experiencing this?  How can I make the pain or illness or struggle stop?  These are normal questions that come from our experiences before this point in our life.  I think there are more useful questions that can help us at this stage: In what ways am I mentally and emotionally stronger now than I was before?  How has God shown me that I am not alone in this time?  Where have I seen God’s gentle hand carrying me through these days and encouraging me when I just don’t have anymore strength?  How has my faith and endurance grown from where I was before?

            These are hard questions. Honestly, these are not questions I can face every day, because sometimes I’m just not at a mental place where I can answer them. But, when I am able to focus on how I’ve grown in this time, these questions can bring a lot of wisdom and strength.

Dear God, help me to see how I’ve grown mentally and spiritually stronger through my experiences. On the days I have no more endurance, please carry me.  Amen.