Let Your Light Shine and get Salty!

The other day I was blog hopping and came across an interesting entry on the blog "Expressions of a Buppie". For those of you unfamiliar with the blog its a blog written by 2/3 female Black Urban Professionals. I think this particular entry was written by the District Buppie (she resides in DC). Forgive me I can't at this time remember the name of title of the entry but it was something like 'No God at Work'. Now you KNOW I was already like errrrrrrf *insert comically quizzical facial expression here* As I continued to read past the title I ran a gamut of emotions between shock and anger. I started cracking my knuckles so I could get down and dirty on the keyboard and give them my 22cents. Here's the gist of it:

Blog writer is at work and conducting interviews. The woman currently being interviewed is a young Black female who is energetic, knowledgeable, and a great fit for the position. The District Buppie gives the thumbs up and the young lady moves on to conduct an interview with another staffer. After about 45mins to an hour the other staff member comes to DB's area of the office to talk about how the young lady would be a terrible fit and she won't be getting a call back. DB is confused having just met with the woman; she inquires why she wouldn't be a good fit. To which the staffer replies: "She's a God/Jesus freak. I asked her why she thought she'd be good for this position and she said God had prepared her for such a role" and continued to give her qualifications (Please understand I am not quoting word for word. A sistah is on the train riding to work and can't remember the exact line.) DB thinks that isn't such a big deal to label the girl freak but she knows the staffer is a lesbian atheist and figures the girl should have left her mouth shut because you never know who your speaking to. Needless to say the women was not hired.


When I read the entry there were comments which basically didn't think it was right but this is the world we live in so we must learn to keep that kind of thing to ourselves. This only made me seethe more. How dare this staffer deny a qualified person a job just because of her religious views. I felt that she was discriminated against and was this close *holds up thumb and finger an inch apart* to calling DC to file a complaint.


But after 7 deep breaths and a paradigm shift I didn't leave a comment. Forget discrimination for a minute; this staffer, DB, and the 2 people who left comments actually believed the young lady brought it on herself for bringing God up in her interview. I don't find anything wrong with her reference to God and think she didn't go overboard. I'm saying it is not like she whipped out her bible and started preaching or started quoting scriptures or even started speaking in tongues (note: anyone who has ever done this during a job interview in no way am I calling you a freak but you may want to check yourself. Too much too soon maybe?). I didn't want to get all preachy on the blog and leave a comment and I just shaked my head and exited the site. I forgot all about it but little did I know my Pastor was going to remind me.


Matthew 5:13-16 (New International Version)
Salt and Light 13"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 by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


*stands up and begins the slow clap* I love this scripture. I love Love LOVE this scripture. My pastor brought it up this past Sunday. He said we are supposed to be the Light in the dark not the Light in the Light. We can NOT hide out at work, in the street, in the WORLD. That is not what we were created for. We need to dwell among the world and let them see our light shine and manage not to fall to the very ills of that world. By hiding in our Christian homes and keeping our mouth shut will not help US or THEM. Granted there maybe people who don't WANT to hear it but there are far more people that NEED to hear it. I say all the time that my comments don't look full but I get messages on facebook, myspace, email (SomethinSpecialBlog@gmail.com), in other blogs, and even in person that remind me how many people I touch with my words. The saved and unsaved alike. I will NOT be afraid to let my light shine; to be the salt of the earth. Why?! Because I am apart of the chosen and it is apart of purpose in God's Plan and if that makes you feel some kind of way... Take it up with the man upstairs!