Salt and Light

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

Uncertain times demand certain and sure responses. At this time of global crisis when the Convid-19 virus is threatening lives, livelihoods and lifestyles, those of us who are Christians are called to be a witness for Christ as never before.
Salt heals. It preserves. It adds flavour. It assists health. As one of my home group leaders used to say "The place for the salt is in the stew." We cannot sit around on the shelf when the world is troubled and hurting.
 Light guides. It protects. It comforts. It gives hope. Everywhere around us are people who are fearful and in need of demonstrations of God's love. 
Christians need to be a people of prayer - for hope, for healing, for calm. We need to pray for our own families, our workplaces, our leaders, our nations and our world.
We need to be sensitive to those around us who need a word of encouragement, a note or text or email, a phone call.
We must be ready to help those who need practical assistance if they are unwell or isolated.
Many local churches including my own are developing a support network to provide essential services or goods to those in need.
As the church of Christ is becoming more limited in meeting together in a building it is finding other ways to experience church fellowship. My home congregation, Bridgeman Baptist Community  Church in Brisbane has online streaming services every Sunday and can be accessed through the following link:
https://www.bridgeman.org.au/
You are warmly invited to attend online.

Father

Your hands are never idle

Your eyes see all our circumstances

You know our heart and innermost thoughts

You hear every whispered prayer

You are the calm centre

In the midst of a whirlpool of troubles

You are the rock

On which our foundations stand

Breath of life

Our beginning and our ending

Shine the light of Your mercy

Upon this hurting world

We pray

In Jesus' name. Amen.