Living on Mission in a Bright and Salty Community

Living on Mission in a Bright and Salty Community

Salt is the best of all the condiments. It makes food taste better, it’s a crucial ingredient for perfect bread and sugar cookies, and you can even mix it with warm water and gargle it to help heal a sore throat. But wait, there’s more! It can also be used as:

•    Exfoliant and scrub

•    Fire extinguisher (I once put out a grease fire with it. Yes, I started the fire too. There were French fries and a phone call involved. Long story. Ask me later.)

•    De-Icer (helpful at this time of year)

•    About 13,994 additional cool and impressive things (according to the Salt Institute)

Here’s another important fact about salt: Salt does absolutely no good when it is kept safely in its container. In order for salt to be useful, it has to be applied to something – like French fries or a grease fire. In our scripture this week, Jesus says, “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 underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13)  Could it be that He was telling us that the salt isn’t of any value unless it’s applied where it’s needed?  How salty can salt be in the salt jar?

Jesus went on to say, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)  Light isn’t going to make much of an impact unless it is actually exposed to the darkness. If you light a candle in a room flooded with sunlight, you might not even notice it. It wouldn’t make a difference or add any value. BUT, if you light that same candle when the power goes out at night, you’ll be able to find your way around the whole room. Light is most useful in the darkness. This world can be a dark place, but even a little light looks very bright in the dark.

Bonus thought: (free of charge – you’re welcome!)

Have you ever put a single grain of salt on your food? Me neither! It always works out better if you sprinkle on several grains at the same time. In the same way, we’re not meant to go out into the world on our own. We’ll have a much bigger impact if we go out into the world as a community of salt.

Jesus wants us (all of us, POC community!) to be the salt He can apply liberally wherever needed – outside of the salt jar. He also gave us His own life-light to shine brightly in the darkness of the world. So…

Let’s practice Living on Mission and be a bright and salty community!

Pastor Angela