Salt and Light

“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.” Matthew 5:13.

When I was in 3^rd grade, I learned that Columbus found the New World because he was searching for a short cut to the Indies. They wanted spices. Spices! Mmmm. Cinnamon and nutmeg and my mother’s home-baked pumpkin pie!

In 8^th grade, I learned that they wanted salt, an ingredient we seldom used at our house. Salt tasted funny and I didn’t like it. It was probably the iodine that they added to it. Remember the little girl with the umbrella on the label? In both cases, I just didn’t understand. What was the big deal about spices?

In high school, I learned that salt was a rare and treasured commodity. Why? Because it PRESERVES. Refrigeration had not yet been invented, and food treated with salt would resist bacteria and travel long distances without spoiling.

We are called to be salt, not to season, but to PRESERVE. We are called to preserve the history, the lessons, the promises, the Inspired Word of God. We are told to pass it on. It is not to be forgotten. Some will hear…and read…and understand.

Be salt.

“You are the light of the world….let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

We are told to let our light shine. Why? So that we get to see the results? No. We seldom get to see the results. If we saw the results, we might start wanting to take the credit. Well, then, why do we let our light shine? So that God will be praised.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness grasps it not.” John 1:1-5.

Do you get discouraged when you don’t see the results? I did. I wanted so desperately to make a difference that when I didn’t SEE that difference, I felt useless. But it’s not really my job to make a difference. Even Jesus’ light was often not “grasped”. It is God’s job to make the difference. It is our job to be light, to live our lives so that others can SEE the difference. Some will see the light…and search for…and find Him.

Be light.