Not long ago I read an article in Relevant magazine entitled, “The Dark Continent” that stunned me. According to the International Energy Agency, more than 620 million people live without power. That’s more than the combined population of the United States, Russia, and Japan. As a westerner who hasn’t spent many days of my life without electricity, I tend to categorize lack of power as a major inconvenience.
But in reality, Kate Tracy, the writer of the article, goes on to explain that lack of electricity in Africa inflicts far more than inconvenience. In rural areas, where the poor live in small grass huts, open flames used to cook and provide heat often cause fires. To complicate matters, young children develop respiratory illnesses from the constant smoke.
Most shockingly, the World Health Organization estimates that 4 million people have died as a result smoke fumes and kerosene. That’s more than the number of combined deaths from HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
These statistics overwhelm me. And they prompt the following questions:
- As Christians, how do we respond to such large-scale suffering?
- How do we deal with strife and unrest in America, and still care for people across the globe?
- How can we make progress when there seems to be crushing needs on every corner?
As I pondered these questions I considered Jesus’ words in The Sermon on the Mount:
“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. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 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).
Jesus used the metaphors of salt and light to describe the Christian. In biblical times, salt was primarily used as a preservative. Because there was no refrigeration, salt was often used to preserve food. Incidentally, it improved the quality of taste and the enjoyment of the food. Jesus likens Christians to salt, meaning without His followers; the world becomes a more rotten place. However, if our lives conform to His purpose, we can influence society and do an enormous amount of good.
Secondly, Jesus said Christians are called to be lights in a world that is cloaked in darkness. Darkness is often terrifying and it represents all that is evil. But in a dark environment, it doesn’t take much light to make substantial difference. A single candle can make a pitch-dark environment far more bearable.
Jesus didn’t command us to save the world, but to be salt and light, however and wherever we can. This might mean in your home, neighborhood, school, workplace, a local hospital or nursing home, a shelter, or another country. We aren’t called to do everything, but we are called to do something. This is on our watch. We live in a dark world.
Let your light shine.
