"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 (ESV)
The world can make you bitter, or it can make you better. This is a simple truth I try to teach my boys. Without question.... there will always be, in their lives, plenty to find "wrong" in the world. You can take that to the bank. You don't have to prepare or ramp up for it. You don't have to stock your life, as you would with an insurance policy, "just in case" bad things happen. They will !! Bad things do, and will, happen. We live in a fallen world, full of sin (greed, selfishness, covetousness, lust, and hatred). It is what it is, whether you or I like it or not. Good grief Steve, I really hope there is a BUT in this message. There is.
However, as absolutely inevitable as undesirable outcomes, bad things, unwanted things, are in this world..... so, too, is the individual's choice to become bitter, or become better. Circumstances can be, and will be, thrust upon us. Choices cannot. They reside with the individual. Join the bitter crowd.... and you're done. You've lost your flavor, your saltiness. Good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled ....if you choose to remain there. But I do not believe this is a nature which the Lord has given us. No matter what our circumstances, I believe we desire, we crave... better.
But don't even base your decision on circumstances. Instead of considering what the world may think of your "become better" attitude (...and I believe it cannot help but be perceived as positive, admitted or not...) consider what Abba Father thinks of your decision to choose "better". It is Him who we please.
