There’s a Need for More People Who Live as Salt

I don’t know about you, but I want this to be a year in which I spend more time inspiring others. As someone who is a firm believer that we have all been called to be culture healers, one of the attributes of that is something that Jesus spoke to his disciples about, which is being like salt. He boldly proclaimed to them in Matthew 5:13 “you are the salt of the earth.” Then he follows this affirmation with a warning, saying “but if the salt has lost that thing which makes it salt, it is useless or worthless and good for nothing but to be walked over like sand or dust. I realize this is not an exact quote but I’m emphasizing a point. As salt, we have value, purpose, and in this year, there is a need for more of us to be like salt. 

Historically, salt has been used in many different ways. At one time in early Hebrew culture, it was used as a currency for trading and even establishing covenants. This tradition is most likely where the term “a man who is worth his salt” came from. Salt, both then and now is more commonly used as a preservative. Before there was a method of refrigeration, salt was used to ensure that meats and other foods stayed fresh and slowed the process of decay. In the process of cooking, we know that salt is also for flavoring, as its use draws out the flavor of whatever it has been added to. 

As culture healers, we must be like salt. What that means is that we should be preserving values, enhancing the lives of others, we must become distinctive and notable, should promote health and wholeness, and be engaged in our community. 

When we preserve values, we are acting as a buffer against cultural decay. So much of our culture has been under attack by progressive, anti-biblical values, which seek to turn our society into one that looks less and less like the image of God that we have been created to reflect. We were made in God’s image but what we are seeing are the efforts to devalue humanity and God’s glory. As we preserve God’s values, we stave of the decay and rot of our society, we strengthen families, governments, and other areas where culture is influenced. 

Just as salt is a flavor enhancer, we too should enhance the lives of others around us by providing support, encouragement, and a positive outlook. There a man that I work with, who I can always point to as someone who fits this attribute perfectly. He always has a positive attitude, an encouraging and sometimes prophetic word to share, and a perspective that will leave you feeling more hopeful than you were before you crossed his path. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m endeavoring to be more like this in this year. 

Like Jesus who stood out from the crowd, let us all work to be distinctive and notable. This means that with integrity, we reveal ourselves to others as our most authentic and integral selves, presenting ourselves as true to our principles and beliefs and having our actions reflect those values. Let us not diminish ourselves to placate to others. We should live so, that through our living, we inspire others to desire to be greater and see what is possible. 

Let us become advocates for healthier lifestyles and being well, and engaging community in such a way that we uplift those around us, making a difference through support and encouragement. 

I pray that as you progress and process through this year, you show yourself more like salt than in years past. That you live in such a way that others take note of how you make them feel and how much influence you have been in being a difference maker in their lives. I pray that there is a marked difference in your life as you show yourself as salt as culture is preserved and even enhanced by the fact that you were present and effectively being what you’ve been called to be.