so what does it mean for me to be light?

What is a christian place in social issues? Right now i am figuring out my theology on the topic... Today i had dinner with Ann, an old roommate of mine. She and i are going to enter into dialouges about social justice/theology... again the question is what is the christian role in society? Is the gospel only salvation of sins or are there other issues tied into it... Now before everyone thinks i am floating off into outer space let me state that true change, lasting change, life only comes from Christ... I still believe that my calling (our calling) is for people to know God in a real manner (not sunday school christianity but real life)... so what does that look like... but can we as Christian ignore the realities around us... such as racism, poverty etc... does the christian role in the world as being salt and light stop short of anything other than Jesus came and died for our sins. Is that the only type of light we are supposed to be?

Anyways that is what i am grappling with right now... it plays heavily into every person I meet that is not a Christian... I think the best way to describe the mind set of the people i know is this quote from a book i started reading. Here a young jewish man is in South Africa during apartheid. Gets into a conversation with the author of the book about how God is calling him to know Christ but one thing holds him back
" I looked at James [jewish young man] and replied ' James i believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for you.' James 'I believe that Ron i really do... I just don't want to be like the white Christians (black people too) here. They sing about the love of Jesus and the joy of heaven, but they don't care about justice in South Africa. If i become a Christian, will I have to give up the struggle?"

What is a whole view of Christianity? What is the complete gospel? Why did God punish the isrealites for their lack of concern about the poor or justice... what does that mean for the modern Christian.

I pray that this summer i learn about that... I pray that through Ann and I talking and exploring and being honest with each other we find some sort of solution for how God is calling us. As i was reading today I was reminded how woefully little i know... and how hard my heart is. I will be the first to admit my heart does not break daily for the poor. my heart does not break daily for injustice. my heart does not break daily for people that go hungry everyday... what is my role in showing people all of Christ's heart. What is all of Christ's heart?

this was not a short note. :)