SHOW: THE SALT

THE PRAYER       

• Find a quiet space.       


• Breathe deeply and recognise God with you in this moment.       


• When you are ready, speak to God about this time together.       


• After you've finished praying, go through the following passage a few times slowly and thoughtfully (preferably out loud).      


• Allow God to meet you in these words.

God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me- my whole life one long, obedient response. Psalm 119: 33-34 (MSG)

THE FIRST READING

Read this passage slowly (preferably out loud) as you allow God to meet you in these words. Pay attention to anything God might be saying as you do.

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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

RESPONSE

Take some time to respond (write down, draw, pray, etc.) to God’s prompting in the first reading of the passage. What is he highlighting and saying to you through this?

THE SECOND READING

Read the passage again (slowly and preferably out loud) through the “lens” of what The Spirit highlighted in the first reading. Listen for anything else the Spirit might be saying.

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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

THE REFLECTION

In the world. 

That’s where we are supposed to be as Christians. We’re supposed to be in the places where people least expect to find us. Just like the Jesus we follow. Befriending zealots, tax collectors, and prostitutes. Sharing life with those the world has rejected.

Sadly, this is the exception rather than the norm. Instead of leaning into places of deep need, we tend to gravitate toward comfort. We befriend those who look like us, think like us, speak like us. We generally choose nice people over ugly people. Easy people over those who take a lot of work.

In truth, we’re often not very salty. You see, salt is made for the mixing. It exists to be added to all kinds of food to bring out the flavour of the dish. That's why Jesus calls us the salt. We’re made for the mixing, here to be added. Added to the neighbourhoods we live in, to the lives of those who suffer, to the injustices and struggles of our time. As we actively engage in our world, the God-flavours of different communities are revealed.

So what about you? Are you in the mix? Is your life constantly being added to the lives of those living in the community you call home? What is the name of the man who begs at the traffic light? The bank teller who always looks so down? The petrol attendant where you regularly fill up with petrol? Or is your life stuck in the salt shaker, caught up in the comfort of the familiar, unmoved by the suffering of the stranger? If so, could the words of Jesus be a warning? “What good is salt if it has lost its saltiness?”

How might God be inviting you out of the salt shaker and into the world he has called you to serve today?