Hope Preserved

This morning, as I gargled, I thought of my pastor.

I know…weird, huh?

I've been gargling with salt water every morning.  It's a habit my mom started about a year ago; and she has not been sick since she started the process.  So, I've started the same routine, and every time I do it now, I will think of my pastor.

You see, he recently preached a sermon entitled "We are God's Salt Shaker."  🙂

Salt flavors our food, but it also helps in the healing process.  It preserves foods.  It cleanses wounds.

Salt burns when it gets into a cut.  Salt soothes when it is used as a rinse for a sore throat.  Salt flavors our food when added in careful amounts.

I am salt. 

There are times that I need to soothe a fellow Christian.  Sometimes I just add my personality nicely into the mixture of believers worshipping.  Other times, my very presence stings those around me – especially those with wounds that haven't healed.

I want to be carefully used, only by the leading of God's Holy Spirit. 

I never want to dump a handful of my opinion into a conversation – too much salt is disgusting.  However, if I say nothing when given a chance to speak for Christ, I give a bland, unsatisfying taste to those around me.

It's a fine balance.  I must follow the gentle nudges from within.  I must be always ready to represent Him.

And you know what?  I don't want to be the cheap, bleached, processed salt from the blue, round canister on the grocery shelf – so full of additives that is rendered dangerous, rather than helpful.

I want to be that fabulous Sea Salt!  It's so full of flavor, free from harmful chemicals, good for a healthy diet, and incredibly rich in minerals that are helpful.

Lord, help me be a pleasing savor – both to you and to others around me.

Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.