There are many activities I have enjoyed through the years. Some of the activities were more physical in nature such as playing intramural basketball with the guys in high school, working on the farm (some jobs not-so-much), learning to water ski with Ralph & Loretta, or golfing with the ARC guys.
There are other things I also enjoy such as reading a book, playing cards with friends, visiting/sharing with others, or sitting by a lake or ocean and relaxing by the water and enjoying a sunrise or sunset.
Sharon and I have been able to enjoy many bodies of water over the years, ranging from the stream which flowed through the pasture on the farm to the oceans of the world. Probably the most unique body of water was when we went to the Dead Sea in Israel.
The Dead Sea was different because it was so salty that you could actually sit on the water. So that got me thinking about what the Bible says about salt. Matthew 5:12, 13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”
Salt has three primary purposes. It preserves, heals, and gives flavor. We who follow Christ can demonstrate these purposes:
PRESERVES—How do we preserve what is right, good, and positive as Christians? We can lead by example when we speak up for someone who is down and out, or to any injustice we see, or share our Christian values with others.
HEALS—There are many hurting people in our families, our churches, our community and our world. As “salty” Christians, we can be God’s hand to help heal individuals through/with encouragement, befriending those who need a friend, loving the unlovable, all through the love of Christ.
GIVES FLAVOR—Someone once said that salt gives the salty flavor, but also brings out the natural flavor of the food. We, as salt, can bring God’s love to the world and a good flavor to people looking for a recipe for hope.
This warning… if the salt has lost its flavor it is no longer any good. Let’s not lose our desire to be the people who can add flavor (Christ) to this world.
George H. Bonnema