In the community I grew up, the Amish were very concerned that we live as holy as possible. We were the salt of the earth and the fate of the world was depending on us.
The ministers and a lot of older people were concerned how so many Amish communities weren't being true to Jakob Ammann's vision when he started the Amish church. They'd shake their heads sadly and say "Once the salt has lost its savor, the end will come quickly." Apparently a lot of Amish churches were no longer salty enough. To make up for other communities backsliding or drifting they seemed to be constantly imposing more rules on us to ensure we could still be considered the salt of the earth.
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That is a lot of pressure for sure
ReplyDeleteTo be the "salt of the earth" is very important but we cannot be responsible for other's decisions. We do need to be a beacon of light for others to see. It sounds as though you were all being held to an almost unattainable standard.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I agree with Betsy. Each person must live their own life, and they alone are responsible for their choices. YOU cannot atone for anybody else's short-comings. Being held to such unreachable standards only leads to more failure - and more rules piled on top of what is already there.
ReplyDeleteSounds a very difficult standard you were expected to live up to. I know very little about the Amish and Mennonite religions. I should look into it. It seems many of the local Mennonite people live extremely restricted lives, by my standard of course, for instance I cannot imagine driving around in a horse and carriage in the dead of a Canadian winter.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my my non religious upbringing I read your post with a smile when you wrote that other communities weren't salty enough, so you had to try harder. I love the insight into different religions.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my my non religious upbringing I read your post with a smile when you wrote that other communities weren't salty enough, so you had to try harder. I love the insight into different religions.
ReplyDelete