Needs More Salt

We had a nice, quiet Memorial Day at home yesterday.  Al has been traveling a lot lately for his job, so it was nice to enjoy a long weekend at home before he leaves again tomorrow.  It was a beautiful day here in the mountains.  We got our porch ready for summer, and then spent some time sitting out there enjoying the view and the cool breeze.

Al barbecued some chicken for our dinner.  It's a family tradition, you might say.  Something I remember his dad always doing for holiday gatherings.  Throughout the day our mouths were watering as we smelled that chicken cooking!

As we sat down to eat last night, we couldn't wait to taste that chicken.  It looked yummy!  It smelled wonderful!  We took a bite.  And had the same reaction.  Something was missing.  "Needs more salt" was the conclusion.  We added the salt, and from that point on,  really enjoyed that chicken!

Salt makes a big difference, doesn't it?

Maybe that's why Jesus said to His followers,  "You are the salt of the earth."   (Matthew 5:13)

Salt enhances flavor.  As in the case of yesterday's chicken, it makes a big difference.  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?  How much of a "flavor enhancer" are you?

Salt is a preservative.  In Jesus' day, there were no refrigerators or deep freezes.  Salt was used to preserve food.  As Christians, as salt, our task is to preserve.  How much "preserving" are you doing?  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?  What are you doing to "preserve", to lead to salvation, those in your world?

Salt also creates thirst.  Think about what happens when you eat salty food, like potato chips.  You reach for something to drink, right?  The salt has made you thirsty.  How much thirst are you creating?  How much does your life cause those around you to "reach for" Christ?  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?

Yesterday's chicken looked good.  It smelled good.  But it was missing something. Looking good and smelling good weren't enough. It needed more salt.

Looking good and smelling good weren't enough for that chicken.  Going to church and talking the talk aren't good enough for Christians in today's world.  If we're going to be all that Jesus desires us to be, we need to do more than show up for an hour on Sunday, more than just know a "churchy" vocabulary.  We need to be salt. 

Maybe that's what's wrong with our world today.  It needs more salt.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."  (Matthew 5:13 ESV)