Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-203 (Devotional)

SENT AS LIGHT (Matt 5:13-16)

by Kim Thoday

When we give our lives to Christ we begin a journey with others who have also been called on the journey of faith. To be followers of Jesus means that we are also sent by him. We are primarily: SENT ONES. We are sent out into the darkness to be his lights.

As followers of the SENT ONE, we must continue to ask ourselves: are we “fishers of people” or have we become “keepers of the aquarium?”

We are sent out into the world to be the salt and the light. This requires an inner and an outer journey. The inner journey is one of a growing mystical union between our selves and the Spirit of Christ. The outer journey is the outworking of the inner journey.

Both are a pilgrimage with Jesus. The outer journey is witnessing to the inner reality of light and salt. The outer journey is being the light of compassion and salt of justice to the lost, lonely, loveless, locked out, locked up and left out people in our community and world.

However, human beings have a basic tendency to stay settled and comfortable. We tend to resist change and challenge. Sometimes we really dig our heels in when God calls us. We turn away and look back to the “good old days!” We want to take hold of Moses’ burning bush and keep it secure in our ecclesial containers. We want to stare at the divine flame and warm ourselves in its glow. Yet before we know it, the fire has been starved of spiritual oxygen and it has extinguished.

The light that truly nurtures (inner) and burns with justice and righteousness (outer) is the light of those who follow Jesus Christ. Therefore let us boldly continue to move out with Jesus.

Dear Lord, break through our self-interest by the power of your Spirit, so that we will be your SENT ONES.

Thank you Lord, that you have called us to be on a journey, a constantly new adventure, with new priorities, with new friends and with an eternal confidence!

God bless you all.

– Kim Thoday <>

Hewett Community Church of Christ, South Australia. http://www.hewett.org.au