Pass the Salt

“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.”  Matthew 5:13-16

There is a story of the cowboys on the cattle trail who found themselves without a cook. The trail boss designated one of the men, then another to fill in, but their cooking was awful. Complaints were loud and strong. Finally, he devised a plan to end their complaints. A new rule was posted: “If you complain about the food, you’re the new cook.”       

Next morning the boys got up for breakfast and poked at their plates of beans. After a courageous nibble, one old cowhand could not mask his disappointment. “Sure am salty,” he muttered. “But it sure am good,” he quickly continued.

Salt. It is an important and necessary “spice of life.” Yet too much or too little turns any food distasteful. Compare your Christian presence in your location to the seasoning power of table salt. Are you pouring it on “too thick”? Are you stingy with it? The consistent message of your life should be: “O taste and see that the Lord is good...” (Psalm 34:8).

“You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world...” Matthew 5:13-14