Matthew 5: 13: 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. 14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15: 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.16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Be Salty: Jesus is a challenge to my life. Meeting Him in the early morning hours means letting Him prod into parts of my life that sometimes I would rather hide. But I know His salt is good and will flavor my life. I know His light is kind and will dispel darkness in my life. Then I become the salt. Then I become the light of Jesus.a

Calling someone salty is not always a compliment.  It is a term used to describe a somewhat irritating person with a lean toward sarcasm.  That is not the saltiness for us.  We need savory salt.  The kind that makes a person want more not less.

Shiny Shoes: As I shined my shoes for tomorrow, it reminded me of an encounter on the streets of Chicago.  A street vendor came up and buffed my shoes with some concoction.  None of that mattered.  It just mattered to me to look into his eyes and challenge him to a life more fully lived in Christ.  He talked about his upbringing and challenges of living on the streets with a yearning for more.  It was a simple conversation and his decisions are his to make.  Another vendor had attempted the same in New Orleans some time back, but I had no thought of challenging him at the time.  Sometimes, I wonder, “What is the difference?”  Why do I speak at one time and hold at another?  I’d like to think it is sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, but most times when I don’t speak it is sensitivity to the people around me.  My candle gets a bushel plopped on top.

ACT! Spread a little salt today. Talk about Jesus.  First, think about Him.  What is it that challenges your life that exists in His life?

PRAY! Holy Father of love and light. Flavor my life with Jesus today so that I might flavor the lives of others with Jesus. He is so precious, so kind, so alive.  So many times, I fail to acknowledge You to others.  So many times I put the bushel over the light.  Pierce through me so that salt can’t be masked.  Flow through me so that the light comes out through the cracks in my fearful bushel.  Teach me, Lord.  Let the salt of Your word embed in my makeup.