Somehow it has been over a month since I have last blogged! I’d like start off by sharing with you some really great things that have happened recently. The last week of July and first week of August were FULL of celebration at my house!
- July 27th- our cute dog, River, turned 2
- July 28th- I graduated from my nurse coaching program
- July 30th- I turned 38
- August 6th- Corey and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary
My parents were in town during some of that time and we had a fun-filled and busy weekend, making lots of memories! On Sunday morning (the 31st), I happened to be awake before everyone else. So I made some coffee and while I was waiting for it to brew, I flipped my little Christian desk calendar that I keep on my kitchen counter. I do this most mornings, but I had gotten a little behind on it with everything going on and being out of my routine. Here is what it said for my birthday:
This made me smile, because one of my deepest desires is to be a light for Christ in the world. But it was also bittersweet, which I’ll explain below. I grabbed my coffee and went to the couch to also read my birthday devotional, since I had not done it the day before either. I opened to July 30th:
I have more to say about this in a future post, but today, let me draw your attention to those verses listed at the very bottom of the page “for further study and encouragement”:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
Both these verses and the one on my flip calendar are from the same section of Matthew chapter 5!! Do you realize how extremely unlikely that is? There are over 31,000 verses in the Bible and these two resources, which have different authors and are completely unrelated in any way, took me to the exact same place on the date of my birthday!! Coincidence? I think not! God speaks to us in so many different ways! And boy did I need to hear from Him that morning.
Although that particular week was really fun and exciting, the several months leading up to it had been nothing short of exhausting and humbling. I have been wanting to share more of what has been going on in my life with you, so let’s rewind to January:
- January 7th- launched “Chelsey, naturally” and published my first post
- January 10th- had my first day of school for an online Nurse Coach certification program
- January 20 something- covid +
- Then until now- post-covid syndrome a.k.a. long covid
I can tell you from personal experience that to launch a health blog, start a health coaching program and have your health take a major turn for the worst at about the same time is extremely frustrating! I was so motivated to learn and be creative and pour my heart into this blog and becoming a great health coach… and then suddenly I was experiencing extreme fatigue, and it took everything in me just to get through the day. I had been thoughtful and prayerful about these decisions and felt confident I was walking in The Lord’s will, so why did it seem like I got hit by a truck as soon as I was obedient to do both?
As the months went by, my physical exhaustion began to bleed into my spiritual health. I could barely keep up with school assignments and readings, and I wasn’t prioritizing quiet time, at least not with The Lord. I was certainly taking lots of naps, though. Whether I wanted to or not!
In all honesty, I was irritated with God. Because here I am trying to serve Him and love others by using the gifts and passions He has given me, and He allows me to suffer even more. Haven’t 11 years of infertility been enough? Or all the other health struggles I’ve had to endure? There is a deep wound there that has been healed, but sometimes the scars can definitely still itch! Instead of becoming extremely emotional and anxious like I sometimes do when that grief bubbles up, I went the other way. I went into survival mode and for about 5-6 months, it felt like I was just trying to keep my head above water. As a result, my light was definitely dimmed.
Needless to say, on that Sunday morning after my birthday, I was desperately in need of a word from God! I was feeling very loved, celebrated and seen by my family and friends, but forgotten by Him. And I knew I had put Him on the back burner, too. It felt like we were a thousand miles apart.
In those few unexpected minutes alone with Him, I felt that little spark in my soul begin to grow again. He fanned the flame with the truth of His Word and the fact that it is still true for me and always will be: because He is salt and light… I get to be salt and light, too! That reminder gave me much needed renewed hope and was a beautiful gift from The Lord to start my 38th year!
“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…” Matthew 5:13
Salt is used as both a preservative and flavor enhancer. Before refrigeration was invented, salt was the primary way meat was preserved. It also helps inhibit the growth of bacteria on food. Salt (sodium) is an extremely important aspect of many bodily functions. It plays a crucial role in maintaining health… all the way down to our cells!
Just as salt brings nutrients to our cells, we as believers in Christ should bring the gospel to the world! We should see the lost souls in the world around us like meat that will rot and be thrown out if it is not seasoned and preserved by the gospel! So why do we so often fail to be pure salt in a world that is decaying all around us? Pure salt cannot lose its flavor or effectiveness, but the salt commonly used at the time of Jesus was often contaminated with other minerals or impurities, causing it to be less powerful and potent. In the same way, we allow other elements to pollute us, which cause us to lose some of our effectiveness . These can be things like sin, worldly pursuits, busyness, distraction, sickness, selfishness, unexpected trials, lies we believe, etc.
Satan knows our weaknesses and loves to use them against us. For example, I am very prone to believing the lie that my health struggles are a punishment or proof that He has forgotten me. Like Paul, I have begged God to remove this thorn from my flesh that torments me. (2 Corinthians 12:5-10) But, also like Paul, I am reminded once again that it is there for my good and His glory. And that His strength is made perfect in weakness! I don’t have all the answers as to why I keep having to face seemingly endless health struggles, but I have a feeling it has to do with pointing us both to the right place for true healing. If I had it all figured out, I’d probably be pretty proud of myself and forget how much I needed Him. And I also wouldn’t have the compassion I have for others dealing with all manner of health problems.
In my opinion, the Gospel of John begins with one of the most profound introductions ever:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
In other words, “The Word” was the 2nd person of the Trinity. When “The Word” became flesh, He was given the name Jesus. Through Him all things were made. The Bible tells us over and over again that The Word/Jesus is life and light! Since He is no longer here on this earth, we as His believers are called to be His light, shining in the darkness and glorifying Him!
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:8-17
As long as we are on this earth, we will struggle with sin and will be tempted over and over again to choose the world’s way. I’ve chosen both routes in my life plenty of times. And I can tell you by experience that glorying Him is harder, but so much better. Why? Because, like some lyrics from one of my favorite songs (below) say: your eyes get to see His kingdom shining all around, your heart overflows with passion for His Name and your life is a song revealing who He is… salt and light! In other words, you experience getting to be a part of something that matters for eternity!
Although we are called to be salt and light, we are not forced. We have a choice in both matters. Will you choose to be pure salt that is actually effective? Are you going to let His light shine through you or will you hide it? I believe the answers to these questions say a lot about who you want to receive the glory! Pure salt and bright light are all about God’s glory. But impure salt and mingling with darkness are about glorifying the world and self. And that is definitely the more popular choice. The one that this world and culture are constantly encouraging us to make. But as the Ephesians verse above reminds us, we have to be wise about how we live, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
As you listen to the song below that my friend Britton and I recorded recently for this blog post, I pray it will help you reflect on what God is speaking to you personally! In the days after He spoke to me, I kept having this song come to my mind. Is has been a favorite of mine for years, and it means even more to me now. It is the perfect ended to this post. If you know you haven’t been the pure salt & bright light that you are called to be, all you have to do is confess and repent. That is what I have done. Jesus is ALWAYS ready to forgive!
Although I am a nurse by trade, I am not a doctor or an expert, and the information I provide on this blog is for educational purposes only. Each person is unique and their needs and circumstances vary, so I always recommend that you consult your medical provider before making any changes.
That was beautiful!! I remember you having a beautiful voice but didn’t remember you being a writer! Also enjoy your blogs.
Thank you, Kay! That is very kind of you. I appreciate you taking the time to read and I pray you are well!