Dear Friends,
You may have heard of St Augustine. He was born in 354 AD and lived in Algeria, becoming Bishop of Hippo, a great title! He was probably the most significant thinker in Christianity after the apostle Paul. I am introducing him today, because of a quote I heard of his on a podcast: “God puts salt on our lips that we may thirst for him. Sometimes it's the salt of our tears.”
Although the image of salt is used frequently in the Bible, it seems always to be used in reference to the way salt is a preserver. We often are told that we are to be salt in our community, to our neighbours, friends and family. This may be our vocation, but God’s commitment is to bring men and women to the point where they are confronted by His grace and truth.
C S Lewis stated in his book, ‘The Problem of Pain’: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” I have witnessed this numerous times when visiting someone in hospital or at home but struggling. Those who have a marginal interest and faith in God are challenged to go deeper when they are in pain or concerned for the future.
God does not waste His children’s pain.
So, there is God’s commitment to humankind and then our obligation to God. Peter, in his first letter, put it succinctly: ‘’In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’’
As the tide turns back to Christianity in our society (an example is that Joe Rogan, who has the greatest numbers of listeners of any podcast at 190 million a month, has begun to invite Christians onto his programme, previously he was an ardent atheist), so we are called to stand as believers. Why? Because of the promises of God.
Again in 1 Peter: ‘’Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’’
God give you courage, your Pastor, David