Pastor's Corner: Be the salt!

Then human beings reach the age of 2, they have two favorite words. One of the words is "No!" and the second favorite word is "Mine!" This is ironic to those who are parents because we all know that 2-year-olds have not worked, earned, or merited their possessions. The seduction to accumulate possessions begins at an early stage.

One author wrote about the seduction of stuff, "Many people cannot bring themselves to get rid of any of their stuff. You might require a closet exorcist to help you, a trusted friend can help prevent the restuffing phenomenon. Restuffing happens when in the process of cleaning out closets and drawers we are somehow stimulated to acquire new stuff. And beware of stuff co-addicts who may see closet cleaning as a chance to acquire stuff for themselves from your stuff supply. Such friends are likely to go with you on a restuffing expedition. Some people have a kind of spiritual gift for acquiring stuff."

Human beings die and all our possessions go to somebody else. This cycle goes on generation after generation. Nations go to war over possessions. Families are split up because of it. Friendships sometimes end because of material possessions.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns us to guard our hearts against greed. Success and identity are measured by the number of possessions and material things we accumulate. Some people spend their entire lifetime worrying about things that will bring comfort. "I don't know if I have enough stuff. I need more stuff. I need better stuff." Prisons are full of people who committed crimes to acquire possessions. Jesus said your life does not consist in the abundance of possessions we obtain but, in our ability, to make a difference by reflecting Christ.

Recently, a team from Havre Community Alliance Church went to Lima, Peru, on a mission's trip. Most had never witnessed the level of poverty as they witnessed in Peru. Most people we encountered were struggling to overcome a pit of hopelessness. Portia Nelson best describes the sense of hopelessness that we witnessed in her poem:

"I walk down the street.

"There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

"I fall in.

"I am lost ... I am helpless.

"It isn't my fault.

"It takes forever to find a way out."

The goal for our team in Peru was to be the hands, feet and heartbeat of Christ. While in Peru the team-built homes, distributed food, did children's ministry, and taught both men and women. The team did not consist of well-trained individuals, but it comprised people that simply availed themselves and had an open heart and mind to serve in whatever area was needed.

Every team member mentioned the joy and the smiles that radiated from the children's faces and the people's faces even though they were living in extremely impoverished areas. Life does not consist in the accumulation of things. The purpose of life is not comfort. But to reflect Christ. Christ searched for the last, the lost and the least. We all have something to give. You are the salt of the earth. Salt does not exist for its own sake. Salt does not call attention to itself. Salt's calling is to lose itself in something more glorious than itself, and then, and only then, has it fulfilled its destiny. Will you get out of the salt packet and saltshaker?

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Pastor Munya and Lori Takawira

Havre Community Alliance Church