Being Salty

“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

In the days of Jesus, salt was essential for preserving food.  Keeping people safe and providing for the necessary resource of feeding your family was crucial to survival.  Without salt, you could not live.  Now, we often have too much salt in our diets and need to protect ourselves from it!  But understanding the necessity of salt and why Jesus used it as an example is helpful.

God wants us to be a preservative in the world.  Keeping people fed and giving them the necessary ingredients for a full, rich, life is what we are called to do in the lives of others.  Using our gifts and sharing the message of good news makes us salt of the earth and light to the world.  The next time we have an opportunity to help someone see God’s hand moving in their lives, let’s shine a light on it.  When we see someone hungry and hurting for justice, righteousness, and hope, let’s be the salt they need to survive.

God of the upside down kingdom, reorient us; for we seek to hide what you would have shine. From our fall in Eden, we have been embarrassed by the fullness of our humanity, and in our shame and fear have hidden ourselves from you.
Forgive us, Lord, for it is truly our kingdoms which are upside down, and yours which is right side up. We need your help if we are to see the goodness of your creation, that we may rightly reflect Your goodness to the world.
Oh God of light, make us to be Your light, for the sake of Your salvation.  Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.