When Erica asked me to write for this blog, I was surprised, honored, and excited! I greatly enjoy engaging in spiritual conversation, and this is certainly a unique opportunity. But, it's a little hard for me to stick with one idea, and to hold back from discussing every thought I have about that idea. I'm technologically challenged, having started 3 other postings, but messing them up with my word processor and email! After prayer and contemplation, I decided to write what's in my heart and mind at the moment, and hope that at least one good idea might come from each attempt. So, here goes!
We recently took on a major painting project in our den, repainting fake wood paneling. (After much discussion through the years, we're filling in the grooves in the paneling...that's what makes it a major job!) I'm easily entertained, so I get a kick out of going to the paint store. Who doesn't enjoy watching paint mixers at work?! It's almost magical to see a gallon of pure white paint, turned into “Sandstone” or “Orange Confection,” “Butternut” or “Library Red” with just a few tiny drops of colored tint. After watching this process last week with Phil, he said what I was thinking: “It's almost like a perfect illustration of the verse about a little leaven.”
In Galations 5:9, Paul says that “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough”, and again in I Cor. 5:6, a similar statement is made. (Any of us who have made bread, have surely been fascinated as we watched our little ball of dough, double in size.) In both verses, Paul illustrates how quickly a bad influence can take over, and change the original ingredients, if we allow ourselves to be mixed in with that yeast. The yeast, and salt described elsewhere in the New Testament, illustrate the very, very small amount of influence needed to change a group of people, or to greatly change our individual lives.
Although the yeast illustration describes a bad influence, the salt illustration by Jesus in Matthew 5:13, is describing a small amount of something, having a huge influence for good. We can be that yeast, or salt, (or paint tint drops) and become the influencing factor. Often, when participating in a small act of kindness, or good work, I question if there's any lasting good that will come from what I'm doing. I truly believe that as we are described as the “salt of the world” we can have a great impact on others, even with our seemingly small influence.
And so, my experiences with paint mixing over the last few weeks, helped to renew thoughts about being alert, for even the smallest amount of evil influencing my life. What do I do with choices in friendships, associates, and entertainment, especially? What do I read, listen to, and watch?
On the other hand, how wonderful to realize that as small influences can work for evil, they can also work for large amounts of good! I don't want to be the color to change someone else's life in a bad way, but want to use that small bit of influence I might have, to color their world with a reflection of Christ. That child we talk to and teach, the person we speak to with a smile, will see Christ in us. May we all beware of “tiny” bad influences, and strive to be good salt, leaven, and yes, even paint drops, for others! May we realize how big of an effect our influence can have, and pray for God to help us use it to his glory.
