Salt and Light

This is a lesson that I have taught at a few venues, and so I apologize in advance if you have read this or heard this before. When we think about our call as Christians and our call as people in society, I am reminded of what Jesus said about being salt and being light. When most people think of these analogies, being salt can be rather unflattering. Of all the minerals on the mineral chart, Jesus picks a dull and ordinary mineral. However, did you ever think about what salt means to the world?

-Small doses of salt was used to fertilize soil. How does God use you in your surroundings?
-Salt is used to preserve meat. Are we as Christians helping people stay together when the elements of life are trying to ruin others?
-Salt heals. Are we helping people mend, or are we letting them be infected?
-Salt adds flavor to food. Are we adding to the good that is already around us?

Most of all, salt is unique. If you try to replace salt with sugar, it does not work... it may resemble salt, but it tastes nothing like it. Salt is a unique ingredient that can not be replicated well. When Jesus mentions salt in Matthew 5:13, he mentions that if it does not have it's saltiness, then it's only use is to be thrown out and trampled on. This inspired me because when I read this, I realized that we have a significant role to play in society... and that if Christians lose their saltiness, then there is no real reason for us to be doing what we do.

What about light?
-Light gives hope. When people are in dark places, do we give them hope or do we discourage them?
-Light guides. When people are lost, do we lead them to safe places or do we leave them to their own devices?
-Light gives warmth. When someone is cold, can we help them warm up?
-Light helps life grow. Life would not exist without sunlight, can our lights help others grow into what God wants them to be?

So as you can see, these fairly bland descriptions of Christians are very basic elements of life. So if you are feeling discouraged right now about where you are and your ability to influence others, just know that God sees you as essential to the well being others... do not forget that!