Making An Impact

Impact must be the word of the week that God is reiterating in my soul. I've used it countless times while preparing for our Annual Congregational Meeting. It's been a primary "why" of how we plan and consider the JOY Club for our adult seniors. Our staff team has felt it. I've read it and heard it through a book I'm reading and podcast I'm listening to about effective growth groups. Impact.

On Sunday, June 18, 20 people from our congregation chose to be baptized. Talk about impact. Their decisions to proclaim their trust and hope in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will continue to make an impact in their families, relationships with friends, how they perceive the community and world around them, and in future choices they'll make. Impact.

This summer, Pastor Nate Levering and other teaching pastors and leaders in our community are and will be teaching through the Sermon on the Mount. In the very words of Jesus, told by Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, Jesus outlines our identity and the heart He has for His people. Last Sunday, Pastor Nate preached on being SALT & LIGHT.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven". (Matthew 5:13-16)

What is the impact of salt and light in this world? Salt not only stops decay but enhances flavor. Salt is the main sources of sodium and chloride ions in the human diet, making it a crucial component to sustaining human life. It's essential for nerve and muscle function and is essential in the body's control of blood pressure and volume*. Consider God's creative creation of humanity- giving us what we need to survive, creating a body to need specific vitamins and minerals for function. I love how often Jesus reminds us of His one-ness with God by reminding us who we are and that we are necessary to His body. You are salt. Impact.

Did you know that light waves travel in straight lines? Imagine that. Jesus himself calls us light. Light is able to push out darkness and we have straight access to our God who enables us to seek truth. Our ability to be light is a direct reflection of access to the creator of light. As Pastor Nate reflected on pastor and writer John Stott's own reflection of our responsibility as believers, he quoted this:

"Our Christian habit is to bewail the world’s deteriorating standards with an air of rather self-righteous dismay. We criticize its violence, dishonesty, immorality, disregard for human life, and materialistic greed.
‘The world is going down the drain,’ we say with a shrug. But whose fault is it? Who is to blame? Let me put it like this. If the house is dark when nightfall comes, there is no sense in blaming the house; that is what happens when the sun goes down. The question to ask is, ’Where is the light?’
Similarly, if the meat goes bad and becomes inedible, there is no sense in blaming the meat; this is what happens when bacteria are left alone to breed. The question to ask is, ’Where is the salt?’
Just so, if society deteriorates and its standards decline until it becomes like a dark night or a stinking fish, there is no sense in blaming society; that is what happens when fallen men and women are left to themselves, and human selfishness is unchecked.
The question to ask is, ‘Where is the Church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing our society?"

You have an impact here. Your saltiness is necessary in our world and the truth of Jesus that you carry with and within you has the ability to push out the darkness. As we walk this out, I want to leave this with you. It's our Summer Reading Psalm of the Day:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
    let me not be put to shame;
    let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.
Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For your name's sake, O Lord,
    pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
His soul shall abide in well-being,
    and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship[b] of the Lord is for those who fear him,
    and he makes known to them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
    bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
    and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
    and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
    for I wait for you.
Redeem Israel, O God,
    out of all his troubles.
-Psalm 25

*https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/
Watch the June 18 message here.