What condiment are you?

Hmmm, weird question?  Well, think about it.  We call ourselves alot of things.  We are “cool as a cucumber”, “sweet as pie”, “a hot dog”.  There are so many I could continue forever almost.  I’m sure you could to.

But here’s one I want you to think about, salt and light.  Salt and light.  What does that mean, and why would we be called that?  Read this  verse with me…

Mat 5:13 – 16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I want to share some thoughts with you.  We are to be salt and light in a world filled with darkness.  As Christians we are to be different, set apart, but still a very real part of the world.  How do we do that?  How do we strike that balance?  Think about it like this.  Salt is secret, light is open; salt is the unseen Christian influence we are to be, light is the open Christian influence we are to be. 

Here’s one example from my life:  In my job there are many colorful people with very colorful language.  It really, really gets to me.  I’ve spoken with my supervisor, but not much has changed.  I don’t run around screaming, “Look at me, I’m a Christian.”  But I don’t hide it either.  I have a Bible on my desk that is more than show, I read it all the time; I bring in Bible studies I am working on and I go into detail (depending on the person) when asked what I have. 

One day last week there was once again some very bad language bantered about.  I was on a call with a customer as I heard my supervisor walk by and tell one young man that he had “a pouty mouth” and he should clean it up.  The guy called back that he didn’t have any soap.  I muted my phone and looked over at him with a small smile and said, “I’ll loan you some.”  He told me, “For you I’ll work on it, because you are so nice.”  I’m waiting for the day when he will see it’s not nice, it’s Jesus.  Till then, I’ll be a secret, silent influence as well as an open, verbal influence. 

So, come on, join me.  Let’s move through our lives, shaking some salt and shining some light.  Let’s focus on pointing up, not out.