A dash of salt...

Matthew 5:13-15 (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 by men."

I read this verse in my daily reading today and I saw a "new" perspective I hadn't really caught before.

I've always understood how the salt is a metaphor for Christians to "season" the earth. Its a catchy analogy. But the part that jumped at me today was "if the salt loses its saltiness..."

I take this as referring to Christians who lose their "flavor" - their zest for the Lord. A Christian without passion for God is, in a sense, worthless. Now please take that into context - of course I'm not saying that a human is worthless, God is a Redeemer and can renew anyone, no matter what their past. But work with me here for the sake of this analogy. It's like the next line of the verse "It is no longer good for anything."

Ouch.

Is that a wake up call for you today?

It was for me. I want to be a pleasant flavor to the earth that is so saturated with spoiled "food" - I want to be a dash of hope, light, and joy that can be found only through Jesus. I want to sprinkle that knowledge over the earth!! I hope I am and will continue to do that with my writing.

I like to think of my writing as my screw-on lid - you know, the lid on the salt canister with all the holes. I want my salt to pour through my books and into the world.

Here's another side of the salt shaker to consider. Just as not enough salt is useless, and flavorless salt is useless, so is TOO MUCH SALT a bad thing. Think about it. If that lid slips and dumps too much salt on your meal, its all you taste. It takes over everything and dries out your tongue. Burns any open sores or blisters in your mouth. Closes your throat. It's gross and ruins your meal.

I think as Christians we need to be careful not to oversalt our seeking, searching friends. Too much religion shoved down their throats when they aren't ready is just as bad, if not worse, than not giving them enough.

Whew, lots of deep thoughts for your Thursday!

Sprinkle on, little Canisters for Christ! Let's flavor this world with the perfect balance of hope, joy, peace, grace, light, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Let's show them how Jesus is the Ultimate Chef! His recipes are always spot on.