Salty Faith
I hate baking, but I love to cook. Let me explain. Baking takes a certain amount of skill that I do not have; therefore, it’s frustrating to me. If I don’t follow the directions explicitly to the most insignificant letter, I could end up with a mess on my hands. If I use baking soda instead of baking powder, I would end up with a mess on my hands. If I add too much salt or too little…you guessed it - I’d have a mess on my hands.
Cooking, on the other hand, is much easier to me. I can add a pinch of this, a handful of that, and a dash of some random spice I happen to have on hand; and most likely, I will end up with a masterpiece. The margin for error is wide, and it doesn’t stress me out quite so easily. I might even call it “relaxing” if I have the time to do it. And while it’s much more difficult to “end up with a mess on my hands,” it’s important that I have the right amounts of certain things. Salt would be one of them. We all know a dish without salt is bland, but a dish with too much salt is a disaster. We’ve got to find the right balance.
The same is true for our spiritual lives.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” - Mark 9:50 NIV
“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 its 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 NIV
We know that salt adds flavor to food, but did you know that it actually brings out the natural flavor of the food to which it’s been added? It releases the flavor by breaking down the cell walls of fruits, vegetables, and meats. So when Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, He is telling us that, as believers, we are to enhance the goodness and beauty of the world around us. We are to be the salt and light in this dark world by encouraging others, loving others, forgiving others, bringing glory and honor to our heavenly Father by telling others about Him. The list goes on and on.
God created us to be the salt and light of this earth. We were given the very breath we breathe so that we might magnify His name and bring joy and peace to those around us. Are you operating as salt and light? Are you using every opportunity to enhance the people and the world around you? Are you going out of your way to be an encouragement to your neighbors, friends, and co-workers?
JOURNAL: Answer the questions above. Do your best to be honest with yourself with your answers. Share what God is revealing to you.
If we’re all honest with ourselves, we most likely have room for improvement. Busy days and the trials of life can affect our impact, but it’s important that we are intentional as we approach each day and look for ways to be a salt and light to others. Let’s enhance the beauty of the world around us and glorify the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: God, help me be the salt of the earth and a light in this dark world. Lead me to those who need encouragement, prayer, and love. Help me to be intentional as I approach each day and look for ways to enhance the beauty of the world around me. I pray that I will positively impact everyone I meet and be a living testimony of Your goodness and grace in my life. Amen
Cooking, on the other hand, is much easier to me. I can add a pinch of this, a handful of that, and a dash of some random spice I happen to have on hand; and most likely, I will end up with a masterpiece. The margin for error is wide, and it doesn’t stress me out quite so easily. I might even call it “relaxing” if I have the time to do it. And while it’s much more difficult to “end up with a mess on my hands,” it’s important that I have the right amounts of certain things. Salt would be one of them. We all know a dish without salt is bland, but a dish with too much salt is a disaster. We’ve got to find the right balance.
The same is true for our spiritual lives.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” - Mark 9:50 NIV
“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 its 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 NIV
We know that salt adds flavor to food, but did you know that it actually brings out the natural flavor of the food to which it’s been added? It releases the flavor by breaking down the cell walls of fruits, vegetables, and meats. So when Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, He is telling us that, as believers, we are to enhance the goodness and beauty of the world around us. We are to be the salt and light in this dark world by encouraging others, loving others, forgiving others, bringing glory and honor to our heavenly Father by telling others about Him. The list goes on and on.
God created us to be the salt and light of this earth. We were given the very breath we breathe so that we might magnify His name and bring joy and peace to those around us. Are you operating as salt and light? Are you using every opportunity to enhance the people and the world around you? Are you going out of your way to be an encouragement to your neighbors, friends, and co-workers?
JOURNAL: Answer the questions above. Do your best to be honest with yourself with your answers. Share what God is revealing to you.
If we’re all honest with ourselves, we most likely have room for improvement. Busy days and the trials of life can affect our impact, but it’s important that we are intentional as we approach each day and look for ways to be a salt and light to others. Let’s enhance the beauty of the world around us and glorify the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: God, help me be the salt of the earth and a light in this dark world. Lead me to those who need encouragement, prayer, and love. Help me to be intentional as I approach each day and look for ways to enhance the beauty of the world around me. I pray that I will positively impact everyone I meet and be a living testimony of Your goodness and grace in my life. Amen
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