Today’s Daily Bread ~ Salty

Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?  Can you make it useful again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

I am not proud to say that I have always been an easily influenced person.  In sixth grade, Karen (name changed for her privacy) was the queen bee of our class.  She wasn’t particularly beautiful or talented or funny, but she was popular.  And when she said, “Jump!” we jumped.

About once every two weeks or so, Karen would issue a declaration of contempt.  She was mad at so-and-so, and therefore any sheep in her flock caught talking to poor so-and-so would be exiled to the “nerdy table” at lunch.  Oh, the injustice of the dictatorship.

It wasn’t long before my name came up on the wheel of misfortune, and there I sat, sack lunch before me, at the dreaded table.  I had never experienced anything like it.  None of my friends would look at me.  I had no one to sit with on the bus.  No one to skip rope with on the playground.  I was alone.

Of course, eventually my transgressions were forgiven, and I was welcomed back into the fold as another sadly took her place at the nerdy table.  I remember how hurtful it was.  I also remember not liking Karen, and not wanting to be a part of her “group” anymore.  I wish I could tell you I’d had the strength to start my own group with the misfortunate one of the moment.  But I didn’t.  I followed our shepherd right along with the rest of the bleating lambs.

In sixth grade it was Karen.  The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of high school it was a boy that coaxed me into taking a drink.  He and his buddy cheered me on as I tilted a bottle of Jack Daniels back and downed it like a dying man in the dessert; an escapade that bought me a ride home in an ambulance.

Later in life, alcohol became the mega-theme of everything I did.  Even when I sincerely didn’t want to drink, it took next to no arm-twisting to coax me into one margarita, then two, then three.  When God made it clear to me that I had taken my last drink, He also allowed me to see what pliable clay I was in the wrong hands.  He put me through a painful pruning process, during which I let go of unhealthy relationships, and allowed my Father to build new ones. 

Two nights ago I made homemade chicken and dumplings for dinner.  Right before I added the dumplings, I tasted the soup.  Not bad, just a little bland.  The recipe made a five quart dish, so I added a half-teaspoon of salt, stirred it up and tasted it again: Perfect!  Amazing how such a small amount of salt can add so much flavor.

“You are the salt of the earth.”  God is calling each one of us to be influential, purposeful Christians.  He has blessed me with some wonderfully salty people over the last two years.  Vicky, who wouldn’t gossip if you paid her to.  Starla, with faith that would rival Mother Theresa’s.  Trisha, the picture of a powerful, prayerful wife.  Because of their faith and obedience to God, I have a better marriage, a better relationship with Jesus, a stronger resolve to be influential, rather than influenced.

Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.”  Jesus is calling each one of us to make a choice.  Are you the dough or the yeast?  Are you the soup or the salt?  Are you an intentional Christian, seeking to lead others to Christ through your lifestyle, or posted up, nice and comfortable on the sidelines?  Jesus is looking for players, not fans.

Be salty.  Love on purpose.  Serve with joy.  Shine brightly.  Don’t let a day go by that you don’t do something to bring glory for the Kingdom of God.  Get out of the bleachers and into the game.  Invite a friend to church.  Join a Bible study.  Speak words of life, seeking to build up rather than tear down.  Be salty.

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much.  And we ask that you would gently point out areas in our life where we are soup.  Help us to be salt.  Fill us with your Holy Spirit.  Give us discernment to recognize opportunities to witness.  Let our entire life be an offering that’s pleasing to You.  Where we are influenced in a negative way, strengthen us to be influential.  Show us areas where we have sidelined ourselves, and convict us to get in the game!  Give us passion and purpose.  Help us to see You in the ordinary, everyday things.  Bring healthy relationships into our lives, and help us to untangle ourselves from the unhealthy ones.  Above all else, draw us closer to You, even if it involves a season of pruning.  Help us to remember the cross, and fall madly in the love with the One who chose it.  We praise You, and we ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.