Who’s within an hour’s drive that might have the same thing on their shelf, right now? Not only will you get out of the office, but you’ll get out of the church staff bubble to rub shoulders with people who, chances are, rarely frequent the doors of a church.
In Matthew, Jesus called us the salt of the earth, but what does that mean as a production leader who often spends their days inside church walls? How can we be salt and light when we’re not out in the world that often?
Well, before you click “purchase” on your cart at that big online retailer, maybe Google a little bit.
I’m sure Jesus would have done a little online shopping himself, but while reading the gospels we get the notion that he had a way with locals.
Who’s within an hour’s drive that might have the same thing on their shelf, right now? Not only will you get out of the office, but you’ll get out of the church staff bubble to rub shoulders with people who, chances are, rarely frequent the doors of a church. And, if we’re honest, that big online retailer with same day, next day, or two-day shipping has leveraged that convenience and economy of scale to make things hard for the veteran music pro up the street, or in the next suburb over, or maybe on the other end of that pleasant drive over some country roads. Not only do they need your business, but they need you. And you need them.
What do I mean? Well, they certainly need your business, even if it’s going to cost you a bit more, but developing a working relationship with someone who’s nearby, with gear in stock or knowledge at the ready will save you in a pinch. Sometimes you need that widget, camera, or whatever today. And if you have a local relationship with a good music store guy, you can just go drive and get it. Sometimes, something is broke and fixing it is a little beyond your accumulated knowledge, but there’s a chance that an old roadie who set up shop on Main Street because his back can’t handle lifting another subwoofer off of a semi-trailer knows just the thing to get you through the weekend. Or maybe you need to rent a little something for a small shindig, and it would be nice to get a break on the price. Heck, if you do enough business, he might just let you use it for a couple days so long as you bring it back in one piece.
Life is hard for most people, especially without the hope of a Savior and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You, my friend, are the next best thing. Actually, you are the thing, the very presence of Christ...
I’m sure Jesus would have done a little online shopping himself, but while reading the gospels we get the notion that he had a way with locals. He had a hometown where he ran or helped run a construction business. While we don’t have much of a picture of him during those twenty odd years of obscurity after the incident in the temple when he was twelve, we do read that he grew in favor with God and man. People liked doing business with him, working for him, relying on him.
I think that’s partly what he had in mind when he called us the salt of the earth. Life is hard for most people, especially without the hope of a Savior and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You, my friend, are the next best thing. Actually, you are the thing, the very presence of Christ in all his meekness, gentleness, kindness, and compassion. Your presence, our presence, is Christ’s presence, and that salt preserves life around us. Gives it flavor. Takes away the bitter taste life has left in the mouths of so many people we would meet if we could just get out of the office.
I’ve said this before, but your team needs that too. All our gear and systems and flows are important, but what’s most important? Your being and bringing Jesus to them. Yes, you are the salt of the earth.
Lord, help us walk in your kind presence, to be the salt of the earth where we are, to love as you loved. Let us not overlook people out of convenience or business, but to have the presence of mind and spirit to notice, and in the noticing to share peace, comfort, and kindness.
