A friend of mine asked me to give a devotional for a board meeting earlier this week. As my mind is in such a whirlwind with our upcoming move, winding down responsibilities here, and (finally!) the publication of my book, in addition to, you know, the rest of the stuff that still has to go on in daily life (dinner, laundry, you know the drill) I struggled with what to say: first I explored topics such as “Biblical reasons for lowering your expectations,” “Times of Transition,” and “Finishing well.” Not until I was walking out the door on Tuesday did God reveal to me His message: Being Salt and Light in His Kingdom.
In Sunday School this week we looked at Matthew 5:13-16. In these verses, Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” This is from the Sermon on the Mount, just after the Beatitudes. We discussed how, exactly, we are to be salt and light, as Jesus says we must.
So what is salt? What does salt do? Salt was once so valuable that it was used as payment or currency (this is why we say a man is “worth his salt”). Salt preserves, enhances flavor, and creates thirst. It is also an astringent or cleanser. Jesus speaks of salt that has “become tasteless.” Salt itself does not ever lose it flavor, as other foods do. It becomes “unsalty” when it is contaminated by gypsum or other minerals. It’s returned to its salty state when it is purified. Are we like this? Do we enhance the flavor of life for those around us? Do we create a thirst for Christ and preserve His word? Do we keep our witness pure, not saying we are “saved by Christ and...” or “strengthened by Christ and...”
What does light do? It goes everywhere! It gives guidance. It defeats darkness, brings joy. It is contagious. (Have you ever been in a candlelight service? One candle’s light can eventually light a whole sanctuary!) Light gives comfort, reveals color, and can transform. It can also reveal dirt--this must be done carefully, for light can also be blinding and painful.
How can I pull this off? I don’t have time to enhance flavor and show color--I’m getting ready to PCS and I have family responsibilities, I have PWOC stuff to finish...and... and...how do I ADD “Be salt and light” to this?
But...salt does not have to work to be salt. Light does not have to put forth extra effort in order to shine. This is what they are, so this is what they naturally do. Is this what I naturally am? Is this what I naturally do?
I can be salt and light when I visit the transportation office (again) because someone’s schedule got changed (again). We are salt and light when we take our kids to the park, in our conversations with other women. It’s much MORE about what we ARE and much LESS about extra things that we DO, because heaven knows the last thing anyone needs is SOMETHING ELSE on our to-do list.
The theme verse for PWOC international this year is the Lord’s prayer, which includes the phrase “...on earth as it is in heaven.” Our light and salty lives can bring a taste and a view of heaven to those we meet in our daily walk.
I hope I make people thirsty.
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