Season Our Surroundings

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. – (Luke 14:34-35)

 

Jesus was making a comparison between Christians and salt. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, those who believe and follow Him, are called to flavor and preserve His goodness and grace unto the world. Salt has a distinct flavor and is easily identifiable unless it has lost its saltiness. We too are called to be distinctly different from the world. Our commitment to following Christ should flavor all that we say and do, and therefore be evident to all whom we encounter. May our lives season our surroundings with the grace and goodness of Christ.

 

Let each of my words,

be seasoned with grace;

and every deed,

point unto Your face.

Make my very life,

Your salt and Your light;

guiding the seeking,

to Your ways, upright.

May goodness be seen,

Your heart clear through mine;

help me be salty,

O Glory Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to flavor and preserve Your good in the world. Thank You that You do not ask nor expect us to do this on our own, but rather You give us Your Holy Spirit to guide, direct, equip and empower us to do all that You are asking. Forgive us for the times that we have blended in with the world, rather than stood up for You as we should have. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will be strong and courageous, trusting You in every circumstance to direct our steps to take the position to which we are called. Lead us to love others as You unfailingly love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize the magnitude of Your sacrifice. Be exalted O God, as we seek to season our surroundings with Your goodness and grace. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Staying Salty

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” – (Mark 9:50)

 

Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in His people: (1) We should remember God’s faithfulness, just as salt when used with a sacrifice recalled God’s covenant with His people. (2) We should make a difference in the “flavor” of the world we live in, just as salt changes the flavor of food. (3) We should counteract the moral decay in society, just a salt preserves food from decay. If we lose the desire to “salt” the earth with the love and message of God, how can we possible be effective in all that we are called to do? – (NIV footnotes for Mark 9:50)

 

How can we have salt in ourselves, and be at peace with each other? The best way to remember God’s faithfulness, is to spend time in His word. As we read story after story of how God has been faithful throughout the ages, our own faith is built up, and we cannot help but recall God’s faithfulness in our own lives as well. When His word and our own testimony are fresh in our minds, they come out in the words that we speak. People notice the flavor of our words, and desire to taste and see for themselves. As peace permeates in places where chaos reigns, the desire for the difference is discernable. Opportunities for His hope to be heard abound. May we go forth as salt, being at peace with one another today.

 

Holy faithfulness,

like salt of the earth;

covenant promise,

through Jesus’ birth.

Because Jesus came,

and made way for us;

we now can go forth,

with truth to discuss.

May each of our words,

bring salt and bring life;

Christ’s message of love,

peace where there was strife.

Let us each go forth,

as salt of the earth;

extending His hope,

so all find new birth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are salt and light, and that when we come to You, You equip us to be as salt unto those around us. Thank You that You help us remember Your faithfulness, because You are indeed faithful, and You use us to make a difference in the “flavor” of the world that we live in. Thank You that in You, we are able to counteract the moral decay that is happening around us. Forgive us for not seeking to stay “salty”, and help us to never lose our desire to “salt” the earth with love and Your message. Grow our faith, God, so that we may season those around us in such a way, that they too, seek You with their whole hearts. May many come to know You as their Savior and King as we love others as You so lavishly love each of us. Be glorified, O God, as we allow our salt to spread around us while we remain at peace with each other. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

To Season the Earth

Throughout history, salt has bore much significance.  Salt was exchanged as a symbol of preserving the promise when two people, tribes or nations reached an agreement.  The exchange was a reminder of their oath to keep up their end of the bargain.  To season food, was another purpose for the abundantly available salt.  Lastly, salt was a powerful preserving agent for food.  Prior to refrigeration, salt kept food from decay far longer than if left alone without it.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” – (Mark 9:50)

We are called to be salt and light to the world.  If we are as salt, we will remember God’s faithfulness to us, and live accordingly, preserving the promises of God, by presenting His light through how we live.  To be salt, we should flavor the world with His goodness and grace.  Bitterness ought to be far from us, as such tastes repel people from Him.  As salt, we are to preserve peace.  Our lives ought to counteract the moral decay that surrounds us, as we “salt” the earth with His love.  If we lose our passion to persevere, we lose our “saltiness”, and become useless to the One who created us with purpose and passion.

To season the earth,

as His salt and light;

preserving the truth,

faithfully unite.

Season what’s spoken,

let God grant each word;

may peace be preserved,

as the truth is heard.

Pour out His goodness,

season well with grace;

be light in darkness,

with passion, embrace.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the light of the world, and in You, there are no shifting shadows.  Thank You that You call us to be salt and light.  Thank You that You only call us to do that which You will also equip us.  Forgive us for our moments where we were anything but salt or light to those around us, and grant us the grace to rise up and be a people who flavor the world around us with Your goodness and grace, so that many may come to desire to seek Your face.  Let our priority be set in You, and our lives be lived out in loving well, as Your salt and light unto the world.  May we walk out our purpose with passion today and always.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3